Development Through Life: A Psychosocial Approach - Hardcover

Newman, Barbara M.; Newman, Philip R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 053460725X ISBN 13: 9780534607258

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing, 2005

Synopsis

Newman and Newman take a chronological approach to the study of the life span, drawing on the psychosocial theory of Erik Erikson to provide a conceptual framework for the text. Newman and Newman address physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth in all life stages, focusing on the idea that development results from the interdependence of these areas at every stage, and placing special emphasis on optimal development through life. The text is noted for its clear organization, providing instructors and students with a coherent structure for tracing development over the life span. The text integrates theory and research with application, making the rich material of development useful for emerging professionals. Each life stage chapter ends with an applied topic that helps students connect the developmental themes of that stage with critical societal issues. The use of case material throughout offers a way to balance information about general patterns of development with information about individual differences and life stories. Human diversity is introduced in the very first chapter and is a continuing theme, reflected in research coverage, theoretical analysis, illustrations, and boxes. Through a variety of pedagogical strategies including the illustrations and captions, points for further reflection, and case analysis, the Newmans have created a text that encourages the reader to engage in ongoing integration and critical analysis.

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: 2005
• ISBN 10: 053460725X
• ISBN 13: 9780534607258
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 555