Welcome at the website of the Developmental Psychology group! The main objectives of our research are (1) to gain an insight in normal human psychological development and (2) to examine which factors and processes may affect individuals’ optimal and psychopathological functioning throughout the life span. We study a broad range of positive and adaptive developmental outcomes, such as optimal learning, persistence, vitality, and self-esteem, as well as negative developmental outcomes, such as depression, perfectionism, relational aggression, and eating disorders. We investigate how the social environment, including parents and teachers, can promote or inhibit these developmental outcomes. Particular attention is paid to the processes, such as motivational processes, goals and aspects of identity development, that may explain the impact of the social environment on these developmental outcomes. These themes are approached from diverse theoretical perspectives, including separation-individuation theory, identity