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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.

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

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Chapter 1: Organizing Themes in Development