A Contextual Approach to Human Development Integrating an Indian Perspective

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part I: Human Development from a Contextualist Perspective
1. Introduction to the Study of Human Development
2. Understanding the Human Life Course
3. Theoretical and Methodological Approaches to Development
Part II: Foundational Processes of Human Development
4. Physical and Motor Development
5. Socialisation and Development
Part III: Perspectives on Cognitive and Language Development
6. Cognitive Development
7. Language Development
Part IV: Perspectives on Self and Affective Development
8. Development of Self and Personality
9. Affective Development
10. Moral development
Part V: Social Understanding and Pro-Social Development
11. Development of Social Understanding
12. Development of Human Strengths
Part VI: Toward Inclusive Development: Emerging Issues
13. Development Under Vulnerable Circumstances
14. Sustainable Development and Lifelong Learning

Biography

Ashok K. Srivastava, Ph.D., was at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, for more than three decades. During this period, he served as a Professor of Educational Psychology and Dean (Research).

Girishwar Misra, Ph.D., served as a Professor of Psychology at the University of Delhi for two decades. He also served as Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha.

‘A Contextual Approach to Human Development is a vital resource for students and researchers in psychology, education, human development, and related fields. With a comprehensive focus on diverse aspects of human development, this book uniquely integrates theories, concepts, and research, from India and other Asian and African countries, offering culturally relevant perspectives with meaningful applications often overlooked in books originating from Euro-American tradition. Its interdisciplinary approach, life-span perspective, and emphasis on socio-cultural context make it an invaluable and refreshing guide for understanding human development.’

Professor Janak Pandey, Former Vice-Chancellor of Central University of South Bihar, Gaya, and Ex-President, International Association of Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP)

‘Understanding of development must necessarily be rooted in the cultural context. Professors Srivastava and Misra present in this book a comprehensive and integrated view of human development which adds a clear cultural perspective to the accumulated global understanding of the processes of growth and development over the life span. Their meticulous attempt in this remarkable work sets it apart from other purportedly "universal" accounts of human development. It stands out due to its thorough and insightful treatment of facets of human development from an Indian perspective along with the extant views from the Global North. This book will be seen as a milestone work in the years to come and will provide a much-needed sourcebook for students and researchers of human development in India and abroad.’

Professor Ajit K. Mohanty, Former Professor of Psychology and ICSSR National Fellow, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

‘A Contextual Approach to Human Development is a refreshing and invaluable resource for teachers and students of human development. The multidisciplinary approach and a focus on the multifaceted aspects of context augur a holistic treatment of human development hitherto missing in books available on the subject. The book presents exemplary insights from ancient Indian texts and approaches and the latest research inputs from the majority world. The dialogic style of writing in several places makes the book very appealing. The book covers various topics with a focus on new theoretical and methodological approaches to development. The contextualist perspective runs as a thread throughout the book". The book orients students and teachers, informing them, appealing to them, exciting them and helping them to connect to their reality, allowing for a deep and meaningful understanding of the subject.’
Purnima Singh, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

‘Students, researchers, and teachers of developmental psychology have been experiencing the void of connections between aspects of human development (physical, cognitive, moral, etc.) and cultural ethos and structural context shaped by the social and economic policies of the nation. By highlighting the need to situate human development within the context of culture and sustainable development goals of nations and providing examples of such development from the Western and Indian contexts, this book comes up as a highly meaningful and refreshing resource for the learners of developmental psychology. To this end, besides the contributions of eminent thinkers such as Sigmund Freud and Jean Piaget, the seminal work of Indian contributors such as S. Anandalakshmy, T. S. Saraswathi, and Malavika Kapur marks the uniqueness of this volume. The questions for reflection at the end of chapters have the potential to foster critical research in human development toward meaningful integration with cultural and structural contexts as well as significant contemporary societal issues of poverty, healthcare, environment, and social justice.’
Kumar Ravi Priya, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

"The book provides a fresh and integrative perspective towards understanding human development. Describing the entire spectrum of human development from an Indian perspective, the book highlights a cultural and contextual approach. Focus on human strengths, sustainable development, lifelong learning, and inclusive development adds interesting and valuable insights. An interdisciplinary approach is reflected in the various chapters of the book, which is in tune with the National Education Policy 2020. Scientific as well as cultural rootedness makes the book stand out as an invaluable contribution to the field of human development".
Swati Patra, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi