Explaining the nature of theories in the field of child development (including why theories are useful & why there are multiple theories) Thomas highly respected book covers the widest range of theories of any text currently available. Using the following criteria: Has the theory been popular? " " Has the theory been influential? " & " Is the theory representative of a class or family of theories? " Thomas identifies the goals & describes the findings of more than two dozen theorists & inspects a series of child development issues that bridge a variety of theories. in addition Thomas suggests a variety of ways to compare theories & existing explanations of how a child develops."