Society for Research in Child Development
Encyclopedia
The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) is a professional society for the field of developmental psychology
, focusing specifically on child development
. It is a multidisciplinary, not-for-profit, professional association with a membership of approximately 5,500 researchers, practitioners, and human development professionals from over 50 countries. The purposes of the society are to promote multidisciplinary research in the field of human development
, to foster the exchange of information among scientists and other professionals of various disciplines, and to encourage applications of research findings.
, an eminent experimental psychologist
, this group became the Committee in Child Development with offices and staff in the National Academy of Sciences
. The purpose of the committee was to integrate research activities and to stimulate research in child development. The committee awarded fellowships, initiated conferences, and began publications. In 1927, 425 scientists were listed in the Directory of Research in Child Development, and that same year the first volume of Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography was published. In 1933, the Committee on Child Development disbanded and passed the torch to the newly organized Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD).
, representing over 50 countries around the world. Special efforts are made by the society, through its Committee on International Relations, to increase interaction and communication between members of the society and all researchers in human development throughout the world.
for research with children. The Committee on Ethical Conduct in Child Development Research promulgates such standards.
. The Committees on Ethnic and Racial Issues have made progress in improving, increasing, and disseminating research to members.
. The goals of this program are to contribute to the effective use of scientific knowledge, to educate the scientific community about the development of public policy, and to establish a more effective liaison between scientists and federal offices. Fellows spend a year as aides or associates in various offices in federal agencies, working with staff in the translation of research to applied issues.
, students, and other individuals who conduct research on child development.
Developmental psychology
Developmental psychology, also known as human development, is the scientific study of systematic psychological changes, emotional changes, and perception changes that occur in human beings over the course of their life span. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to...
, focusing specifically on child development
Child development
Child development stages describe theoretical milestones of child development. Many stage models of development have been proposed, used as working concepts and in some cases asserted as nativist theories....
. It is a multidisciplinary, not-for-profit, professional association with a membership of approximately 5,500 researchers, practitioners, and human development professionals from over 50 countries. The purposes of the society are to promote multidisciplinary research in the field of human development
Developmental psychology
Developmental psychology, also known as human development, is the scientific study of systematic psychological changes, emotional changes, and perception changes that occur in human beings over the course of their life span. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to...
, to foster the exchange of information among scientists and other professionals of various disciplines, and to encourage applications of research findings.
History
The field of child development received formal recognition in 1922-23 through the appointment of a subcommittee on Child Development of the National Research Council. In 1925, under the direction of Robert S. WoodworthRobert S. Woodworth
Robert Sessions Woodworth was an influential American academic psychologist of the first half of the twentieth century. A graduate of Harvard and Columbia, his textbook Psychology: A study of mental life, which appeared first in 1921, went through many editions and was the first introduction to...
, an eminent experimental psychologist
Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
, this group became the Committee in Child Development with offices and staff in the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
. The purpose of the committee was to integrate research activities and to stimulate research in child development. The committee awarded fellowships, initiated conferences, and began publications. In 1927, 425 scientists were listed in the Directory of Research in Child Development, and that same year the first volume of Child Development Abstracts and Bibliography was published. In 1933, the Committee on Child Development disbanded and passed the torch to the newly organized Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD).
International activities
Nearly 20% of SRCD's members are from nations outside the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, representing over 50 countries around the world. Special efforts are made by the society, through its Committee on International Relations, to increase interaction and communication between members of the society and all researchers in human development throughout the world.
Ethics
Of great importance to the society is the establishment and maintenance of ethical standardsEthics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
for research with children. The Committee on Ethical Conduct in Child Development Research promulgates such standards.
Diversity
The society fosters a commitment to research and training in diversityMulticulturalism
Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g...
. The Committees on Ethnic and Racial Issues have made progress in improving, increasing, and disseminating research to members.
Social policy
Under the guidance of the Policy and Communications Committee, the Society helps to bring the results of research to bear on the formulation of policy affecting children and families. One way in which this is done is through the Policy Fellowship Program in Child Development. Begun in 1978, this program is part of a larger fellowship program administered by the American Association for the Advancement of ScienceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
. The goals of this program are to contribute to the effective use of scientific knowledge, to educate the scientific community about the development of public policy, and to establish a more effective liaison between scientists and federal offices. Fellows spend a year as aides or associates in various offices in federal agencies, working with staff in the translation of research to applied issues.
Conference
In the spring of odd numbered years, the society sponsors the biennial SRCD Conference, a meeting in which members can present individual research reports, symposia, invited lectures, and discussion sessions, among other timely and historical programs. Attendance is typically in excess of 5,000 and includes facultyTeacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
, students, and other individuals who conduct research on child development.