"The contents of Human Development Theories are based on the observation that the human perceptual system and a camera are both bound by the same limitation. Neither the camera nor the person can focus on everything at once. The camera, in order to portray a panoramic landscape in all its detail, must take a succession of individual snapshots, each featuring a particular center of interest.

The person, in order to comprehend a culture in all its complexities, must perceive the culture from a succession of vantage points. Throughout the book, those vantage points are provided by 25 theories of human development. Each theory is intended to delineate a particular aspect of culture, thereby contributing toward a broad understanding of what cultures are all about. The examples of cultures are drawn from all parts of the world.

Thus, Human Development Theories is a demonstration of the value of diverse viewpoints toward culture."--BOOK JACKET.