Theoretical and research literature on the role of fathers in childhood development is reviewed. It is suggested that fathers may play an important but qualitatively different role in socialization than mothers and various research designs are suggested to test this hypothesis. (GO)

This article examines the view of infants as passive recipients of social stimulation. It is argued that progress in the understanding of sociopersonality development will be achieved only when the competence of infants and the multidimensionality of the infant social world are acknowledged. (MS)