This comprehensive, cross-disciplinary encyclopedia explores the developmental nature of social interactions and is designed for a broad range of readers in college, institutional, and public library settings. Over 500 easy-to-read entries analyse terms, concepts, themes, theories, and policies, as well as current, historical, and multicultural perspectives, and provide over 1500 sources for further study. An appendix listing over 100 professional journals of note and a selected bibliography of the latest publications of importance to the topic overall further enrich this volume designed for students, teachers, and practitioners, and general readers in psychology, sociology, family and ethnic studies.