Modules, theories, or islands of expertise? Domain specificity in socialization.
The domain-specific approach to socialization processes presented by J. E. Grusec and M. Davidov (this issue) provides a compelling framework for integrating and interpreting a large and disparate body of research findings, and it generates a wealth of testable new hypotheses. At the same time, it introduces core theoretical questions regarding the nature of social interactions, from the perspective of both children and their caregivers. This commentary draws on the literature regarding domain specificity in cognitive development, applauds what is innovative and exciting about applying a domain-specific approach to socialization processes, and points to questions for future research. Foremost among these is what is meant by "domain specificity."
Gelman
Susan A
SA
Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1043, USA. gelman@umich.edu
D000339:Affect; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002668:Child Rearing; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D004328:Drive; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009042:Motivation; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012106:Research; D012931:Social Environment; D012951:Socialization