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Promoting positive human development and social justice: Integrating theory, research and application in contemporary developmental science
Author(s) -
Lerner Richard M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.75
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1464-066X
pISSN - 0020-7594
DOI - 10.1002/ijop.12162
Subject(s) - developmental science , thriving , life span , human development (humanity) , social justice , economic justice , psychology , developmental stage theories , psychological science , epistemology , sociology , developmental psychology , engineering ethics , social science , social psychology , criminology , political science , law , gerontology , medicine , philosophy , engineering
The bold claim that developmental science can contribute to both enhancing positive development among diverse individuals across the life span and promoting social justice in their communities, nations and regions is supported by decades of theoretical, methodological and research contributions. To explain the basis of this claim, I describe the relational developmental systems ( RDS ) metamodel that frames contemporary developmental science, and I present an example of a programme of research within the adolescent portion of the life span that is associated with this metamodel and is pertinent to promoting positive human development. I then discuss methodological issues associated with using RDS ‐based models as frames for research and application. Finally, I explain how the theoretical and methodological ideas associated with RDS thinking may provide the scholarly tools needed by developmental scientists seeking to contribute to human thriving and to advance social justice in the Global South.