The Contributions of Paul B. Baltes to the Transformation of the Field of Child Development: From Developmental Psychology to Developmental Science

Abstract

The scientific contributions and professional leadership of Paul B. Baltes were key bases for the emergence of “developmental science,” an integrative, multidisciplinary approach to human development that uses dynamic, developmental systems models to describe, explain, and optimize the course of human life. This article explains how, from the late 1960s through the 1980s, Baltes promoted this transformation by influencing changes in the theories, concepts, and methods central in the field of child development. The enduring influence of the work of Baltes on child development theory and method is documented by reference to the publication of the sixth edition of the Handbook of Child Psychology. This handbook serves as a sample case of the cutting edge of contemporary developmental science and of the continued impact of Baltes' scholarship on research and applications aimed at understanding and promoting positive human development across the life span.

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