The Life Span: Human Development for Helping Professionals, Loose-Leaf Version (4th Edition)

Note: This is the loose-leaf version of The Life Span and does not include access to the Enhanced Pearson eText. To order the Enhanced Pearson eText packaged with the loose-leaf version, use ISBN 0133861783.

The Life Span: Human Development for Helping Professionals, 4/e, provides an in-depth look at the science of human development, highlighting theories and research that have useful applications for individuals working in fields such as education, counseling, and social work. The main purpose of this book is to provide the reader with information that can be translated into professional “best practice” applications. Throughout, the text reflects the contemporary view that life span development is a process deeply embedded within and inseparable from the context of family, social network, and culture.

Because the book is designed for graduate students, most topics, especially those that have special relevance to helping professionals, are covered in greater depth than in a typical life span text. The expanded coverage of research in these areas will enhance students’ understanding of the scientific basis for application to practice. The Enhanced Pearson eText features embedded video to illustrate key concepts and pop-up assessments to help students assess their proficiency.

Improve mastery and retention with the Enhanced Pearson eText*
The Enhanced Pearson eText provides a rich, interactive learning environment designed to improve student mastery of content. The Enhanced Pearson eText is:

• Engaging. The new interactive, multimedia learning features were developed by the authors and other subject-matter experts to deepen and enrich the learning experience.
• Convenient. Enjoy instant online access from your computer or download the Pearson eText App to read on or offline on your iPad® and Android® tablet.*
• Affordable. Experience the advantages of the Enhanced Pearson eText along with all the benefits of print for 40% to 50% less than a print bound book.

*The Enhanced eText features are only available in the Pearson eText format. They are not available in third-party eTexts or downloads.

*The Pearson eText App is available on Google Play and in the App Store. It requires Android OS 3.1-4, a 7” or 10” tablet, or iPad iOS 5.0 or later.

From reviews of the book:

“This book is unique in that it is research-based, includes comprehensive coverage of important course topics, and offers helping professionals information about human development that will enhance service provision to clients across the lifespan.”

--Mary M. Chittooran, Saint Louis University

“The writing style is clear, interesting and engaging and is at a level appropriate for my students. Nicely done. . . . [The] case studies [and] developmental psychopathology sections are strengths. . . . [The book is] well organized, well-written, broad-based . . ., [and] insightful. [I] especially liked the authors’ focus on practical and applied therapies, as well as their emphasis on research-based therapies that incorporate sound principles of human developmental.”

--Rosalie A. Rohm, Ball State University

“This readable, well organized text addresses the depth and scope of development. The text extends students knowledge of the material by providing a wealth of applicable information for those who are or will be in a helping profession. . . . [Compared to other available texts, this one is] far superior in terms of the balance of scope and depth.”

--Kathryn Cooper, Northern Colorado University

New Interactive, Multimedia Learning Features in the Enhanced Pearson eText:

o See real examples. Embedded videos illustrate and explain key concepts and show individuals addressing the challenges of that period of the life span. (See pages 334, 342, and 353 for examples.)

o Practice applying chapter content. The Practice Using What You’ve Learned feature includes scaffolded video and print case exercises that challenge readers to analyze and apply chapter content. Sample responses are available through the enhanced text. (See page 366 for examples.)

See how to work with people at different stages of the lifespan. Applications sections blend empirically supported information about treatments with the issues covered in each chapter, offering extensive discussion of how developmental science can inform practice. These include topics such as adolescent health and well-being, new approaches to maternity care, new interventions for promoting secure infant attachments, encouraging learning through play, helping parents avoid corporal punishment, and mindfulness-based practices, among many others. (See 357-360 for an example.)

Understand the developmental roots of common disorders. Focus on Developmental Psychopathology features trace the developmental roots of disorders such as autism, disorganized attachment, conduct problems, depression, eating disorders, and PTSD. Linkages between normal and abnormal pathways of development are explained, and a review of basic concepts of developmental psychopathology and prevention science is included. (See 361-363 for an example.)