A Cross-Cultural Perspective on Infancy

Abstract

This article focuses on two issues: (1) the extent to which information generated by cross-cultural psychologists in the field of infant behavior and development is applicable to developing countries, and (2) how relevant this information is to social issues confronting these countries. Among critical issues that need to be addressed more systematically in cross-cultural research with infants are (a) demographic constraints, (b) risk factors affecting the survival and quality of life of young children, (c) the changing context of infant care, and (d) the consequences of intervention programs that rely on transfer of Western technology to the developing world. The limits of developmental models that originated in Europe and the United States need to be tested in cross-cultural studies.