1st Edition

Individual Development and Social Experience

By Sonja Hunt, Jennifer Hilton Copyright 1981
294 Pages
by Routledge

What elements in our psychological make-up direct our behaviour, and what social influences mould our reactions from day to day? In  Individual Development and Social Experience  (originally published in 1975, reissuing the revised 1981 edition now with a new preface by the authors), two experienced psychologists explore the diverse influences that shape human behaviour and examine the... Read more

Introduction 1. Human variety 2. Origins 3. The infant phenomenon 4. Development and the family environment 5. Exploring and understanding 6. Developing morality 7. School life 8. Identity and autonomy 9. Work 10. Sex, marriage and the family 11. In society 12. Conformity and non-conformity 13. Coping with stress 14. Growing old

Biography

Sonja Hunt taught Psychology in Britain and the USA before becoming an Epidemiologist, carrying out research in health and medicine. She was President of the European Group for Health Measurement, has acted as consultant to the World Health Organisation in several countries and has been published widely in books and academic journals. She left academic life to join a Medical Herbalism business and is now retired and living in USA where she does volunteer work in health and aging.

Baroness Hilton was born in 1936. Her schooling was disrupted by the Second World War and by her father’s posting abroad so she did not go to university at the usual age but later obtained police scholarship and studied psychology at Manchester University. She joined the Metropolitan Police in 1956 and served for 34 years, rising steadily through the ranks to the rank of Commander. Several of her initial postings were to the poorer parts of East London where there were mixed communities and a variety of cultures. Upon her retirement in 1990, she received some publicity and was invited by the Labour Party to become a life peer. In the House of Lords, she served on many committees and became a monitor of elections in countries that once belonged to the U.S.S.R. She has written an autobiography called Copper Lady that gives an account of her two careers.

‘An excellent introduction to social and individual psychology.’

— Doctor

‘Very clearly written…refreshingly jargon-free.’

— Nursing Times

‘An absorbing analysis of human behavior and of the strains and stresses of life.’

— Welfare Worker

‘Well planned, well written and very readable.’

— Police Review

‘Very useful to…doctors, social workers, nurses. For the psychology students it provides a good starting point.’

— Social Service Quarterly