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Life History and Child Development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2025

Lei Chang
Affiliation:
Universidade de Macau
Hui Jing Lu
Affiliation:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Summary

The biological life history (LH) theory has been increasingly utilized in psychology, especially in developmental psychology. However, there has not been a comprehensive text on the topic thatalso addresses applications in psychology. This Element fills this void. Organized into five sections, it initially delineates and explains the species-general concepts and principles forming LH theory, emphasizing that, although derived from observations between species, they can be used to explain individual differences within human populations. Grounded in the assumption of phenotypic plasticity, subsequent LH research conducted in psychology covers a wide range of cognitive and social behavioral domains. This body of LH research is discussed next. The Element concludes by presenting four broad recommendations, which, comprising one-quarter of the total content, provide specific directions for future LH research in psychology.
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Life History and Child Development
  • Lei Chang, Universidade de Macau, Hui Jing Lu, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009072946
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Life History and Child Development
  • Lei Chang, Universidade de Macau, Hui Jing Lu, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009072946
Available formats
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Save element to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Life History and Child Development
  • Lei Chang, Universidade de Macau, Hui Jing Lu, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Online ISBN: 9781009072946
Available formats
×