Uniqueness of Japanese studies in Developmental psychology
Résumé
In this article, we consider the meaning of communicating the Japanese developmental studies to the world, and propose some concrete suggestions. Concretely, we pick up and summarize some characteristics and uniqueness of Japanese studies, based principally on the Japanese Journal de Developmental Psychology. Firstly, we outline the methodological strong points of Japanese developmental researches, as the development of quantitative and qualitative methods, the proportion of longitudinal studies, and the debates on the individual difference in development. Secondly, we present some examples of studies, for their originality of behavioral indicators, or choice of activities as salient context. Thirdly, from the viewpoint of cultural comparative psychology, we summarize the uniqueness and benefits of Japanese developmental studies, and discuss them including generational and historical changes. Behind these characteristics, the epistemological conception of Japanese researchers is certainly involved. Finally concrete proposals for facilitating the communication of Japanese developmental researches to the word are summarized.