Life-Span Human Development

The text's integrated topical and chronological approach remains its most unique and important feature. Chapters are organized topically to emphasize developmental processes, such as how nature and nurture interact over the life span to bring about typical developmental changes as well as individual differences in development. Within each chapter, discussion is organized into four major chronological sections (infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood) so that students appreciate the distinctive qualities of each age/stage.

Coverage of nature/nurture issues is stronger than ever. To convey the complexities of the interplay between nature and nurture, the authors pay special attention to genes, hormones, neural functioning and other biological forces in development, while also showing how environmental forces influence biology and how development is affected by the social and cultural context in which the individual develops. In addition, the unique Developmental Psychopathology chapter highlights the complex interplay of nature and nurture in the development of psychological disorders.

At the end of each major section, Checking Mastery questions help students gauge their progress, while Making Connections questions invite them to more fully engage with and reflect on text material -- such as weighing in on a debate in the field, evaluating a topic's implications for public policy, applying a concept to a case example or exploring its relevance to their own development.

Listed in the table of contents and included in almost every chapter, Exploration, Application, and Engagement boxes give students a close-up view of topics of special interest and importance.