Handbook of Developmental Social Neuroscience

This handbook describes research emerging at the interface of two of the hottest areas in neuroscience: social neuroscience and developmental cognitive neuroscience. The volume provides a comprehensive review of this exciting area, ranging from developmental neuroanatomy and comparative studies to developmental disorders. I predict that this will become a landmark work. It is essential reading for students and an important resource for researchers in cognitive neuroscience and social development.--Mark H. Johnson, PhD, Professor and Director, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck College, University of London, United Kingdom


Developmental social neuroscience is such a multidisciplinary and fast-developing field that even the experts struggle to stay abreast of the latest findings from the clinic, animal lab, and scanner. The field is ripe for the kind of systematic review that a good handbook provides, and this volume achieves that goal masterfully. It will be a valuable reference and text for professionals and graduate students in neuroscience and psychology.--Martha J. Farah, PhD, Director, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, and Walter H. Annenberg Professor in the Natural Sciences, University of Pennsylvania



This excellent volume presents cutting-edge work on brain science, early development, and social relationships. The book will be of interest to a wide range of researchers and practitioners. It covers important issues related to the development of psychopathology, normal development, and attachment, and presents interesting implications for clinical practice. The chapters are written by some of the world’s leaders, and they are fascinating, profound, and timely. The issues themselves are timeless.--Andrew N. Meltzoff, PhD, Job and Gertrud Tamaki Endowed Chair in Psychology and Co-Director, Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, University of Washington

In this year of Darwin’s anniversary, what finer way to pay homage than to offer an analysis of the development of the human mind as it adapts to its social environment? This book has three main qualities: it is new, new, new. It is the first to catch and name a field of inquiry as 'developmental social neuroscience.' By doing so, it shows that it is now possible to treat in an integrated manner the ideas of the mind sciences and the methods of the neurosciences, which have previously sat in isolation. It shows that understanding the development of human thinking and feeling in social context is among the richest and most exciting intellectual endeavors of this century.--Mahzarin R. Banaji, PhD, Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics, Department of Psychology, Harvard University
- Editorial decisions made with respect to organization, authors, and topics for inclusion bespeak an innovative philosophy of a balanced and complete science to be achieved through communication across disciplines and inclusion of multiple levels of expertise....Provide[s] a thorough collection of chapters that well represent developmental social neuroscience for interested researchers and graduate students....A major strength of this volume is that chapters provide a comprehensive consideration of the literature and issues of interest, making it appropriate as a teaching tool at the advanced undergraduate level as well. It is notable that the book considers topics relevant to both typical and atypical development....This is an excellent volume for experts and students alike. It is comprehensive in overall scope and innovative in its perspective on developmental social neuroscience. Through their introductory portions, the editors take pains to make the science-heavy chapters accessible to those with little background. The chapters are informative, in most cases providing a complete discussion of their respective topics. This volume will benefit this emerging field a great deal, providing a framework for integration across what have seemed at first pass to be distinct areas of inquiry and expertise. --PsycCRITIQUES, 4/4/2009