Exploring the implications of social change for human development: Perspectives, issues and future directions

Abstract

Researchers have investigated the implications of social change for human development from different perspectives. The studies published in this special section were conducted within Greenfield's theoretical framework (2009). The findings concerning links between specific sociodemographic features (e.g., commercial activities, schooling) and individual cognition and social behaviour are particularly interesting because they tap the underlying forces that drive human development. To further understand the issues in these studies and in the field, a pluralist-constructive perspective is discussed, which emphasises the integration of diverse values and practices in both Western and non-Western societies and its effects on the development of sophisticated competencies in individual adaptation to the changing global community. In addition, several issues are highlighted and some suggestions are provided for future explorations in this field.

Feel American, Watch American, Eat American? Remote Acculturation, TV, and Nutrition Among Adolescent–Mother Dyads in Jamaica

“…For better or worse, globalization is an influential context for adolescent development in the 21st century (Chen, 2015;Jensen & Arnett, 2012). Western culture and media have played a particularly prominent role in social change (e.g., toward western individualistic norms; see Greenfield, 2009) and nutritional change (e.g., toward a western diet high in fat, sugar, and salt; Popkin, Adair, & Ng, 2012), especially in the majority world (i.e., developing countries).…”

Exploring cultural meanings of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors in children and adolescents: A contextual-developmental perspective

“…The changes in sociodemographic features and value systems inevitably affect social perceptions of children’s behaviors. Researchers (e.g., Chen, 2015; Kağıtçıbaşı, 2012) have also suggested that ongoing urbanization and related social changes in many traditionally agricultural societies may lead to the integration of diverse, and perhaps conflictual, values. The integrated values in turn may enhance appreciation of, and positive attitudes toward, autonomous-related qualities and other mixed self- and group-oriented behaviors.…”

Toward a Psychology of Social Change: A Typology of Social Change

“…The example most often used in the literature is the breakdown of the communist system in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union (e.g., Kollontai, 1999; Pinquart et al, 2009; Round and Williams, 2010; Walker and Stephenson, 2010; Chen, 2015). For example, when Pinquart et al (2004, p. 341) introduced their research on social change, they made a distinction between “gradual” change, such as ideological change in many Western societies, and “abrupt social change,” which represents a form of social change that may be spurred by a sudden, dramatic transformation of economic, political, and social institutions.…”