The Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Education in Germany consists of four research centers dealing with the following topics: sociology and the study of the life course; development and socialization; psychology and human development; and school systems and instruction. This English-language annual report of the Planck Institute, which is published every 3-4 years, is organized in the following manner: (1) brief summaries of the major research projects are given for each of the centers; (2) an overview of the general research program and activities of each of the four centers is given in an introductory overview preceding reports on the specific projects being carried out; and (3) publications and activities related to a particular research project are listed at the end of the report on that project. All publications published in 1990 can also be found in the list of publications appended to the report. Representative projects include "Life Course and Social Change,""Transition from Childhood to Adolescence in the Family,""Studies in Peer Interaction in Middle Childhood," and "The European Dimension in Education." Appendixes include lists of research colloquia, visiting scientists and guests, other professional and teaching activities, and research scientists; and a list of 181 reports, 1 doctoral thesis, and 5 master's theses published by the institute. (KC)