Development in Adulthood

This comprehensive multidisciplinary text presents an empowering view of adulthood, through an examination of the influences of age, gender, cohort, race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, and culture.

The fourth edition of Development in Adulthood continues its commitment to being the most current, comprehensive, scholarly, and readable text on adult development and aging available. Retaining its theoretical foundations in the life-span developmental perspective and the contextual model of development as represented by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, its multidisciplinary approach presents an empowering view of adulthood through an examination of the nature and sources of diversity and the influences of age, gender, cohort, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and culture on development. This text has been thoroughly revised to strengthen and polish its pedagogy and organization, at the same time making room for the most current research and thinking in the field and expanded treatment of emerging hot topics. Students will find this topically organized text both an engaging and accessible introduction to the challenges and opportunities of adult life.

This comprehensive, multidisciplinary text presents an empowering view of adulthood through an examination of the nature and sources of diversity and the influences of age, gender, cohort, race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, and culture on development. This fourth edition continues its commitment to being the most current, comprehensive, scholarly, and readable text on adult development and aging available. While retaining its theoretical foundations in the life-span developmental perspective and the contextual model of development as represented by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, this text has been thoroughly revised to strengthen and polish its pedagogy and organization, still allowing room for the most current research and thinking in the field and expanded treatment of emerging hot topics. Students will find this topically organized text an engaging and accessible introduction to the challenges and opportunities of adult life.

Features

• Fresh perspectives are offered from the field, including expanded coverage of high-interest and highly relevant material.
• Emphasis on development-in-context, and on the nature and sources of diversity helps the reader to grasp and appreciate individual differences in development.
• Strong pedagogical structure actively engages the reader, clarifies and reinforces content, enhances comprehension, and maximizes retention.
• Real-life applications integrated throughout provide a bridge between theory, research, and practice, enabling students to connect with the material on a personal level.

New to This Edition

• Material on emerging hot topics exposes students to the most current research and perspectives in the field.
• Additional material enhances student appreciation for the context of development, including Understanding the Developmental Context boxes throughout. Two new boxes include a discussion of a new transitional developmental stage called Midcourse: Let's Retire the Concept of Retirement in Chapter 2 and a review of research on so-called brain-enhancing chemicals called Better Thinking through Chemistry? in Chapter 5.