Lifespan development with balanced research and applications; a new feature, Variations; and increased emphasis on the Lifespan Perspective all in Berk's hallmark engaging writing style. Renowned professor and scholar Laura Berk has heightened emphasis on the lifespan perspective, expanded cross-cultural and multicultural research, and strengthened links between theory, research, and applications. Along with the theme of lifelong development, the text emphasizes (1) interdisciplinary contributions to the study of development, from psychology, anthropology, sociology, education, biology, and other fields; (2) the multidimensional nature of development-physical, cognitive, emotional, and social; (3) interacting contextual influences on development-biological, psychological, social, community, cultural, and historical; and (4) gender differences.