Social development over one's lifetime is a complex area that has
received consider- able attention in the psychological,
social-psychological, and sociological literature over the years.
Surprisingl however, since 1969, when Rand McNally published Goslin's
Handbook of Socialization, no comprehensive statement of the field has
appeared in book form. Given the impressive data in this area that have
been adduced over the last two decades, we trust that our handbook will
serve to fill that gap. In this volume we have followed a lifespan
perspective, starting with the social interactions that transpire in the
earliest development stages and progressing through childhood,
adolescence, adulthood, and, finall one's senior years. In so doing we
cover a variety of issues in depth. The book contains 21 chapters and is
divided into five parts: I, Theoretical Perspectives; II, Infants and
Toddlers; ill, Children and Adolescents; Iv, Adults; and V, The Elderly.
Each of the parts begins with introductory material that reviews the
overall issues to be considered. Many individuals have contributed to
the final production of this handbook. Foremost are our eminent
contributors, who graciously agreed to share with us their expertise. We
also thank our administrative and technical staff for their assistance
in carrying out the day-to-day tasks necessary to complete such a
project. Finall we thank Eliot Werner, Executive Editor at Plenum, for
his willingness to publish and for his tolerance for the delays
inevitable in the development of a large handbook.