Up-to-Date, but Are They Culturally Sensitive?

Reviews the books, Introduction to Child Development (4th ed.) by John P. Dworetzky (1990); and Life-Span Human Development by Carol K. Sigelman and David R. Shaffer (1991). The Sigelman and Shaffer book uses a predominantly topical approach throughout. The chapter on death and dying is an exception. The Sigelman and Shaffer text uses pedagogical aids that are less intrusive than those used in the Dworetzky text The Sigelman and Shaffer text is easy to read but lacks the humor and lightness of the Dworetzky text. The Sigelman and Shaffer text presents a broader view of development, incorporating the contributions of many disciplines contributing to our understanding of development. Sigelman and Shaffer have, in a limited way, integrated diversity throughout their text. This is an area in which additional sensitivity and inclusion of individuals with special needs would make a major contribution to this type of textbook. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)