Cultural Transmission covers psychological, developmental, social, and methodological research on how cultural information is socially transmitted from one generation to the next within families. Studying processes of cultural transmission may help analyze the continuity or change of cultures, including those that have to cope with migration or the collapse of a political system. An evolutionary perspective is elaborated in the first part of the book; the second takes a cross-cultural perspective by presenting international research on development and intergenerational relations in the family; the third provides intra-cultural analyses of mechanisms and methodological aspects of cultural transmission. Made up of contributions by experts in the field, this source book is intended for anyone with interests in cultural issues – especially researchers and teachers in disciplines such as psychology, social and behavioral sciences, and education – and for applied professionals in culture management and family counseling, as well as professionals dealing with migrants.

“Reflecting the interdisciplinary history, research, and theories of cultural transmission, this volume brings together contributions on evolutionary and biological aspects of cultural transmission, cross-cultural perspectives, as well as intergenerational transmission and cultural variation. This timely, engaging volume raises new questions about the models and mechanisms of cultural transmission and identifies important challenges facing researchers investigating this universal process. The scope and significance of the contributions in this volume make it essential reading for social scientists concerned with the role of culture in human behavior.”
—Deborah L. Best, Wake Forest University

“Anyone who wishes to perform research on cultural transmission or family values will need to start here. This volume presents a comprehensive overview of the field and brings the reader up to the present state of the art.”
—William Gabrenya, Florida Institute of Technology

“Ute Schönpflug, an astute observer and chronicler of cultural transmission, has put together a book that provides an array of perspectives on the internationalization of psychology. Its 20 chapters cover evolutionary and cross-cultural perspectives on cultural transmission as well as a collage of intracultural variations. Those who consult this book will be treated to a rich assortment of ways to consider cultural transmission. Without exception, the authors who contributed chapters to this book are experts in areas that together form the corpus of research, theory, and methodology in the study of cultural transmission. The book will instantly become a major reference and an authoritative source of information for future research and perspectives in the area.”
—Walter J. Lonner, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Western Washington University