On 2 Nov 2009 at 10:47, Dennis Goff wrote: > "Nurture Shock" is an interesting read. I am thinking about using it as > a supplement in my Developmental Psychology course in the spring. > Chapters are self-contained so could be assigned as "unit readings." The > topics were selected for their "shock value," focused mostly on "what > parents always thought was true is not."
I no longer peruse textbooks. But as an unabashed Judith Rich Harris booster, it seemed to me, at least at the time I stopped checking them, that there was a concerted effort to avoid mentioning her views in child psychology textbooks, however well-supported those views were by evidence. And if they did mention her conclusion that parents have little effect in shaping adult personalty, it was only to quickly dismiss it. So when Dennis mentioned "Nurture Shock" as a text which focused on what parents always thought was true was not, I perked up. Her controversial view of parenting is the mother of all such claims. Surely her ideas would at last receive the textbook space they deserved. Apparently not. I checked the index, courtesy of Amazon.com, and her name is nowhere to be found. Some shock value. Her views appear to be those that child textbook writers dare not speak of. Probably because they inconveniently suggest, and with good reason, that much of what is presented in child psychology textbooks is nonsense. Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: [email protected] 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
