The Developmental Trajectory of Children's Social Behaviors and Their Cognitive Neural Mechanisms

The normative development of children’s social, emotional, and academic adjustment stems from sources including both family and peer groups. Parent–child and peer interactions have unique and significant implications for children, and these social relationships serve as a foundation for feelings of security and belonging. During the socialization process in at-home and in-school contexts, children display a wide variety of social behaviors. However, several issues require further exploration. For example, what are the different causal relations that might underlie children’s social behaviors? What is the trajectory of these social behaviors at different developmental stages? Can we establish the neural basis for these social behaviors using advanced techniques? In light of these premises, this reprint aims to advance the literature on the development trajectory of children’s social behaviors and their cognitive neural mechanisms. The research in this reprint elucidates a broad range of social behaviors and illustrates relevant empirical evidence, new methodological concerns, and future directions in this field.