Child psychology in twelve questions / Paul L. Harris.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-248) and index.

1: Where does love come from? Attachment theory2: How do children learn words? Universality and variation3: Does language change how children think? The contested relation between language and thought4: Do children live in a fantasy world? Pretending and the origins of the imagination5: Are children natural psychologists? One or two early theories of mind6: Can we trust children's memory? The vulnerable eyewitness7: Do children understand emotion? Children's insight into their inner lives8: How do children tell right from wrong? The origins of morality9: Do children trust what they are told? The role of trust in cognitive development10: Do children believe in magic? Magic and miracles11: Is developmental psychology ethnocentric? Cross-cultural differences in ways of thinking12: What have we learned? Children's minds

Child psychology as a scientific enterprise is about 100 years old, but while numerous textbooks and practical guides are available, the more meditative questions about the nature of a child's mind are rarely asked. This book explores some of the enduring questions in developmental psychology: How do children form an attachment to their caregivers? How do they learn words? In their imagination, are they confused - or clear-sighted - about the difference between fantasy and reality? How do they decide who to trust? In each case, Paul Harris shows why these questions are important, proposes likely answers, and explains the uncertainties that persist. He outlines important landmarks, both well-known and neglected, and explores broader questions about theories of mind, morality, and cross-cultural differences--Publisher's description