Global challenges for developmental psychology: fostering future-oriented, cooperative, and collective efforts

Willem Koops, Dagmar Strohmeier

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorial

Abstract

This introduction of the special issue on ‘Global Challenges for Developmental Psychology’ argues that although developmental science is international, a European perspective is important, for at least three reasons: developmental psychology stems from Europe, there are specific themes and issues within Europe that ask for evidence-based solutions, and research in Europe with its many languages and fault-lines can be exemplary for global research. Global challenges are asking for future-oriented, cooperative, and collective efforts. Future-orientation can be found within the papers of this special issue on two levels: (1) when future developments guide the choice of research topics, and (2) when children need to be prepared for the future. The first level describes to which future challenges researchers aim to contribute knowledge, e.g., when investigating climate change, social inequalities, or digital technologies. On the second-level researchers aim to develop means to prepare children for a positive future, e.g., by fostering democratic and political competencies, by understanding children’s rights, by offering interventions to prevent bullying, or by stimulating school engagement. Tackling global challenges also asks for cooperative and collective efforts. This implies that research should be considered as teamwork. The papers in this issue offer very nice examples of precisely that.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)903-914
Number of pages12
JournalEuropean Journal of Developmental Psychology
Volume20
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • collective action
  • cooperation
  • European developmental psychology
  • future orientation
  • Global challenges

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Global challenges for developmental psychology: fostering future-oriented, cooperative, and collective efforts'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this