Child Development - A Systematic and Empirical Theory #227643

In fact, no attempt is made to document these principles. Occasional references to research findings are for illustrative purposes. This decision is based on three considerations. First, an attempt to validate these concepts would be contrary to the objective of presenting an easily readable account of the theory itself. The presentation would have to be longer, more complex, and certainly much more technical. Second, the data upon which a theory like this is built are well summarized in several texts designed for that purpose. Some of these are noted in our refer ence list. Third, pertinent references to the literature of psycho logical development are included in the succeeding volumes. This volume is the first in a series. The others analyze child behavior and development in terms of the theory presented here. They are organized into the most clearly discernible stages of psychological development, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Essentially, this theory merely brings together in a specific application the conceptual contributions of many psychologists. Our most basic debts are to B. F. Skinner, I. R. Kantor, F. S. Keller, and W. N. Schoenfeld. We hope that this application of their work will give additional impetus to the objective analysis of human behavior.