EXPLORING Lifespan Development provides students with an efficient read of the most important theories, research findings, and applications in the field of lifespan development. Berk’s clear, engaging writing, signature storytelling style, exceptional cross-cultural focus, rich examples, and long-standing commitment to presenting the most up-to-date scholarship, while also offering students research-based, practical implications that they can relate to their personal and professional lives, remain the cornerstone of this essential text.
Table of Contents:
PART I. THEORY AND RESEARCH IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 1: History, Theory, and Research Strategies
Human Development as a Scientific, Applied, and Interdisciplinary Field
Basic Issues
The Lifespan Perspective: A Balanced Point of View
Scientific Beginnings
Mid-Twentieth-Century Theories
Recent Theoretical Perspectives
Comparing Theories
Studying Development
Ethics in Lifespan Research
PART II. FOUNDATIONS OF DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 2: Biological and Environmental Foundations
Genetic Foundations
Reproductive Choices
Environmental Contexts for Development
Understanding the Relationship Between Heredity and Environment
Chapter 3: Prenatal Development, Birth, and the Newborn Baby
Prenatal Development
Prenatal Environmental Influences
Childbirth
Approaches to Childbirth
Medical Interventions
Preterm and Low-Birth-Weight Infants
Birth Complications, Parenting, and Resilience
The Newborn Baby's Capacities
Adjusting to the New Family Unit
PART III. INFANCY AND TODDLERHOOD: THE FIRST TWO YEARS
Chapter 4: Physical Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Body Growth
Brain Development
Influences on Early Physical Growth
Learning Capacities
Motor Development
Perceptual Development
Chapter 5: Cognitive Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Piaget's Cognitive-Developmental Theory
Information Processing
The Social Context of Early Mental Development
Individual Differences in Early Mental Development
Language Development
Chapter 6: Emotional and Social Development in Infancy and Toddlerhood
Erikson's Theory of Infant and Toddler Personality
Emotional Development
Temperament and Development
Development of Attachment
Self-Development During the First Two Years
PART IV. EARLY CHILDHOOD: TWO TO SIX YEARS
Chapter 7: Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Body Growth
Brain Development
Influences on Physical Growth and Health
Motor Development
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Piaget's Theory: The Preoperational Stage
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Information Processing
Individual Differences in Mental Development
Language Development
Chapter 8: Emotional and Social Development in Early Childhood
Erikson's Theory: Initiative versus Guilt
Self-Understanding
Emotional Development
Peer Relations
Foundations of Morality
Gender Typing
Child Rearing and Emotional and Social Development
PART V. MIDDLE CHILDHOOD: SIX TO ELEVEN YEARS
Chapter 9: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Body Growth
Health Issues
Motor Development and Play
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Piaget's Theory: The Concrete Operational Stage
Information Processing
Individual Differences in Mental Development
Language Development
Learning in School
Chapter 10: Emotional and Social Development in Middle Childhood
Erikson's Theory: Industry versus Inferiority
Self-Understanding
Emotional Development
Understanding Others: Perspective Taking
Moral Development
Peer Relations
Gender Typing
Family Influences
Some Common Problems of Development
PART VI. ADOLESCENCE: THE TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD
Chapter 11: Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Conceptions of Adolescence
Puberty: The Physical Transition to Adulthood
The Psychological Impact of Pubertal Events
Health Issues
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Piaget's Theory: The Formal Operational Stage
An Information-Processing View of Adolescent Cognitive Development
Consequences of Adolescent Cognitive Changes
Learning in School
Chapter 12: Emotional and Social Development in Adolescence
Erikson's Theory: Identity versus Role Confusion
Self-Understanding
Moral Development
Gender Typing
The Family
Peer Relations
Problems of Development
PART VII. EARLY ADULTHOOD
Chapter 13: Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood
A Gradual Transition: Emerging Adulthood
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Biological Aging Is Under Way in Early Adulthood
Physical Changes
Health and Fitness
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Changes in the Structure of Thought
Expertise and Creativity
The College Experience
Vocational Choice
Chapter 14: Emotional and Social Development in Early Adulthood
Erikson's Theory: Intimacy versus Isolation
Other Theories of Adult Psychosocial Development
Close Relationships
The Family Life Cycle
The Diversity of Adult Lifestyles
Career Development
PART VIII. MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
Chapter 15: Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Physical Changes
Health and Fitness
Adapting to the Challenges of Midlife
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Changes in Mental Abilities
Information Processing
Vocational Life and Cognitive Development
Adult Learners: Becoming a College Student in Midlife
Chapter 16: Emotional and Social Development in Middle Adulthood
Erikson's Theory: Generativity versus Stagnation
Other Theories of Psychosocial Development in Midlife
Stability and Change in Self-Concept and Personality
Relationships at Midlife
Vocational Life
PART IX. LATE ADULTHOOD
Chapter 17: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Life Expectancy
Physical Changes
Health, Fitness, and Disability
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Memory
Language Processing
Problem Solving
Wisdom
Factors Related to Cognitive Change
Cognitive Interventions
Chapter 18: Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood
Erikson's Theory: Ego Integrity versus Despair
Other Theories of Psychosocial Development in Late Adulthood
Stability and Change in Self-Concept and Personality
Individual Differences in Psychological Well-Being
A Changing Social World
Relationships in Late Adulthood
Retirement and Leisure
Successful Aging
PART X. THE END OF LIFE
Chapter 19: Death, Dying, and Bereavement
How We Die
Attitudes Toward Death
Thinking and Emotions of Dying People
A Place to Die
The Right to Die
Bereavement: Coping with the Death of a Loved One
Death Education
Review :
What Reviewers Are Saying…
“[This text] is not only the best textbook in the field of human development but the single best textbook I have ever reviewed. It is thorough, research-based, theoretically sound, engaging, interesting, personable and compassionate in tone.....a very rare set of qualities..”
*Dale Lund, University of Utah
“[I appreciate the]great use of concrete, real-life examples of the various concepts throughout the chapter. This is incredibly helpful for students’ learning and retention of the material.”
*Tracie Blumentritt, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
“One of the strengths of this book is a sense that we are learning from someone who is both a great scholar and a very wise and experienced person. Berk has credibility on both a professional and personal level.”
*David Shwalb, Southeastern Louisiana University
“I was very impressed with this text…Chapter 8 on social and emotional development in early childhood is outstanding.” ”
*Byron, Egeland, University of Minnesota
“I especially like the way Dr. Berk addresses policy in this text… the social issues boxes are very useful in engaging students in topics of real-life importance that go beyond the individual.”
*Ashley Maynard, University of Hawaii
“Bravo! Boy, was I favorably impressed! The photos are BEAUTIFUL.”
*Laura Thompson, New Mexico State University
Berk has written a phenomenal chapter [on death and dying]… It is through, sensitive, and well written.”
Cheryl Anagnopoulos, Black Hills State University
“The author has done a very good job of presenting critical issues in a straightforward, understandable manner. Students have commented on the usefulness of the text, and stated they particularly like the milestone tables, vignettes, and end-of-chapter summaries. Students have also commented that the author manages to make potentially difficult concepts easy to understand.”
*Marita Kloseck, University of Western Ontario
