laura berk development through the lifespan pdf files

■ The complex bidirectional relationship between biology and environment is given greater attention. As in previous editions, the lifespan perspective-development as lifelong, multidimensional, multidirectional, plastic, and embedded in multiple contexts-continues to serve as a unifying approach to understanding human change and is woven thoroughly into the text. ■ The lifespan perspective is emphasized.

Biology and Environment and Cultural Influences boxes also accentuate the theme of diversity in development. Multicultural and cross-cultural findings, including international comparisons, are enhanced throughout the text. This edition pays more attention to variability in development and to recent theories-including ecological, sociocultural, dynamic systems, and epigenesis-that attempt to explain it. Investigators have reached broad consensus that variations in biological makeup and everyday tasks lead to wide individual differences in paths of change and resulting competencies. ■ Diverse pathways of change are highlighted. This seventh edition represents these rapidly transforming aspects of the field, with a wealth of new content and teaching tools: The years since Development Through the Lifespan first appeared have been a period of unprecedented expansion and change in theory and research. And because teaching has been so central and gratifying to my work life, I wanted to bring to others a personally meaningful understanding of lifespan development. I was also convinced that such knowledge could contribute to my becoming a better teacher, scholar, family member, and citizen. My career well-established, my marriage having stood the test of time, and my children launched into their adult lives, I felt that a deeper grasp of these multiple, interacting influences would help me better appreciate where I had been and where I would be going in the years ahead. Second, as I moved through adult development myself, I began to think more intently about factors that have shaped and reshaped my own life course-family, friends, mentors, co-workers, community, and larger society. Each semester, their insights and questions have revealed how an understanding of any single period of development is enriched by an appreciation of the entire lifespan. First and foremost were the interests and concerns of hundreds of students of human development with whom I have worked in over three decades of college teaching. My decision to write Development Through the Lifespan was inspired by a wealth of professional and personal experiences.

Laura berk development through the lifespan pdf files