An Introduction to the Classic Studies in Developmental Psychology

In the long history of developmental psychology there have been thousands of articles, books, monographs and chapters written and a small number of these can be identified as “classics.” These are studies that have helped shape the discipline and have had a major impact on its development. As Christian Jarrett, author of The Rough Guide to Psychology, has noted, “while other sciences have their cardinal theories ... psychology’s foundations are built not of theory, but with the rock of classic experiments” (2008, p. 756). Not surprisingly, the studies that have been selected are very well known within developmental psychology. They all continue to be cited in new articles and textbooks and their effect and influence remain undiminished. The studies have been carefully selected by the editors to represent a range of areas within developmental psychology: it is likely that some of them may not have been selected by a different editorial team, but we think that most of them would.