Product Description

Newman and Newman take a chronological approach to the study of the lifespan, drawing on the writings of Erik Erikson, whose psychosocial theory provides a conceptual framework for the text. The text addresses physical, intellectual, social, and emotional growth in each of 11 life stages. The authors focus on the idea that development results from the interdependence of these areas at every stage and place special emphasis on optimal development through life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #972284 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 624 pages

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 the Author
Barbara M. Newman, (Ph.D., University of Michigan) is Professor and Chair of the Human Development and Family Studies department at the University of Rhode Island. She teaches courses in lifespan development, adolescent-parent relationships, theories of human development, and psychosocial theory. Also an active researcher, Dr. Newman's interest focuses on parent-child relationships in early adolescence, factors that promote success in the transition to high school among low-income youth, the role of parenting as a stimulus to adult development through the process of revisitation, and the use of the cohort sequential design as an approach to the study of development.

Customer Reviews

Great Book
This book is required reading for my current graduate class: Human Growth & Development. It is a great book that provides in-depth info about human development throughout the lifespan. What's especially helpful is that every life stage is neatly broken down into seperate chapters, and every chapter details the impact of biological,psychological, and social factors on growth. This book will definitely help in understanding the process of growth and change in your own life.

I used this book for my Dev. Psych class
The chapters are long, about 40 pages each, but I found this book to be excellent for examining the development through the lifespan. If you could see my copy, it's underlined all over the place, there's some great material in this book. I am considering having children and will definately refer to this book if and when I do. It basically tells you how to NOT mess up your kids!

Pleased with purchase
I received the book faster than promised. The book is exactly what I wanted. Priced $30 less than our school's bookstore. It seems the pages are very thin, but it does not hurt your ability to read them. Although it might be a problem if someone wants to use a highlighter because it might show through to the other side of the page.