At every point in the lifespan, individual differences in a sense of control are strong predictors of motivation, coping and success and failure in a wide range of domains. What are the origins of these individual differences, how do they develop and what are the mechanisms by which they exert such an influence on psychological functioning? To answer these questions, this book draws on theories and research covering key control constructs, including self-efficacy, learned helplessness, locus of control and attribution theory. Skinner also considers such issues as: the origins of control in...

This book traces the development of coping from birth to emerging adulthood by building a conceptual and empirical bridge between coping and the development of regulation and resilience. It offers a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing the developmental study of coping, including the history of the concept, critiques of current coping theories and research, and reviews of age differences and changes in coping during childhood and adolescence. It integrates multiple strands of cutting-edge theory and research, including work on the development of stress neurophysiology, attachment,...