This book tracks the course of human psychological development through the succession of changes that occur as a result of the interplay between biological and environmental influences. Why is our behavior in adulthood so different from that of our early childhood? Do the changes we experience happen suddenly or are they characterized by a gentle, predictable flow?

Neil J. Salkind comments on the answers to critical questions regarding psychological development to help the reader understand the developmental events from infancy to later years. The main biological, psychoanalytic, behavioral, and cognitive-developmental models of human development are analyzed in this book in a comprehensive manner.

Beyond a brief reference to the historical background of each interpretation, the analysis of each theory also includes the possibilities for its applications in various dimensions of development, such as the effectiveness of early intervention programs, individual differences, adolescence, and sociobiology.

The prominent features of the text include:

• A concluding, cohesive chapter that attempts to compare the interpretive models, referencing the six criteria outlined by Sidman for evaluating a theory and ultimately aiming for the reader to gain the ability to assess a theory.
• The penetrating presentation of classical approaches to understanding human behavior across the lifespan.
• The educational references, such as the inclusion of quotes before each chapter, explanatory boxes for specific issues, key terms, a glossary, and a listing of websites for further relevant information.

These references enhance the reader's understanding of human everyday behavior. 'Introduction to Theories of Human Development' is aimed at undergraduate students of social sciences and behavioral sciences, particularly those studying Psychology, Education, Sociology, and Social Policy.