Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach - Hardcover

Newman, Barbara M.; Newman, Philip R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0534233341 ISBN 13: 9780534233341

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing, 1994

Synopsis

Covering human development in eleven stages (from pregnancy and prenatal development through old age to death), Newman and Newman discuss physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development, addressing themes of continuity and change at each of the life stages. The text contrasts internal (self-directed) and external influences on growth, change, and continuity, and presents the whole person, with extensive consideration given to the family and social environment as important factors in shaping development. Throughout, the authors encourage readers to explore personal questions about development within a framework of scientific knowledge, with particular emphasis on Erik Eriksons model of psychosocial development..Psychosocial theory (used in this text as a guide to organizing information, not as dogma) proposes that cognitive, emotional, and social growth are the result of the interaction between the societal expectations of the individual at each life stage and the competency of the individual to meet each life challenge. A psychosocial crisis is a predictable life tension resulting from the conflict people experience between their own competence and the expectations of society. The psychosocial theoretical framework for studying human development makes Newman and Newman uniquely suited for courses in which social development, family, and environment are considered important in the study of human development.

About this title

About the Author:

Barbara M. Newman (Ph.D., University of Michigan) is a professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Rhode Island. She has also been on the faculty at Russell Sage College and The Ohio State University, where she served as department chair in Human Development and Family Science and as associate provost for Faculty Recruitment and Development. She teaches courses in life-span development, adolescence, family theories, and the research process. Also an active researcher, Dr. Newman's interests focus on parent-child relationships in early adolescence, factors that promote success in the transition to high school, and the use of the cohort sequential design as an approach to the study of development. Her research includes an analysis of the role of family, peer, and school support in the transition to high school (funded by the University of Rhode Island's Research Foundation). For fun, Newman enjoys reading, making up projects with her grandchildren, taking walks along Narragansett Bay and Block Island Sound, and spending time with her family.

Review:

"The authors' writing style is very accessible to students--undergraduates as well as graduates. It is really a joy to read writing that is this clear and straightforward...The thematic boxes are devices that I appreciate very much, greatly adding to the reader's attention and comprehension of difficult subject matter. The case studies provided vivid and accurate portrayals of situations ...and thoughtful questions afterward. I'd describe this text as energizing, fresh, and thorough in its approach to providing content on lifespan development."

"I strongly believe in Erik Erikson's psychosocial theory of development. I was very pleased to see that the Newmans use this theory...I like the way they go through the various life stages in a step by step progression. Certainly the other theories are covered in a comprehensive way also. It is a wonderful text...The authors' communication style with undergraduates in outstanding. They seem to actually enjoy reading the text and get excited about the material. Their writing is scholarly, yet written in such a way that it is easy for the students to understand, comprehend, and process...The students tell me they will not sell this textbook but keep it and refer to it when they have children."

"The students absolutely love the study guide. For those who use it, it significantly improves their grades."

"Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach is the best text I have ever used for a human development, lifespan development course. It is scholarly, yet pragmatic; it is comprehensive yet concise; it captures the students' interest in the beginning and they stick with it. I don't have to look out and observe a sea of blank faces because they haven't read the material--they read the material. Students say they keep it and use it as a parenting handbook."

"Something that struck me as both unique and distinctive is the presentation of systems theory in Chapter 4. I view the inclusion of this material as truly progressive authorship...I think that Newman and Newman have done as good a job or better in writing to communicate with undergraduate level students as any Developmental textbook authors that I have read...It is the first and only developmental text that I have encountered that presents human development from a Psychosocial perspective."

About this edition

• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0534233341
• ISBN 13: 9780534233341
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 6
• Number of pages: 763