The Life Span: Human Development for Helping Professionals, 6th edition

Published by Pearson (October 2, 2024) © 2025

  • Patricia C. Broderick Penn State University
  • Pamela Blewitt Villanova University

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ISBN-13: 9780138173838 (2024 update)

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Purchasing Instructions

This form contains two groups of radio buttons, one for Exam Pack purchasing options, and one for standard purchasing options. Only one option can be chosen for purchase. Any option that is selected will deselect any previously selected purchase option.

eTextbook access on Pearson+

ISBN-13: 9780138173838 (2024 update)

Unlock extra study tools for other course help

eTextbook access + Study & Exam Prep monthly subscription on Pearson+

ISBN-13: 9780138173838 (2024 update)

In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More support. Get AI help with personalized summaries, instant explanations, and quick translations.
  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More interactive. Learn through audio, video, and practice.
  • More memorable. Study better with notes, highlights, and flashcards.

eTextbook on Pearson+

ISBN-13: 9780138173838 (2024 update)

In this eTextbook — More ways to learn

  • More support. Get AI help with personalized summaries, instant explanations, and quick translations.
  • More flexible. Start learning right away, on any device.
  • More interactive. Learn through audio, video, and practice.
  • More memorable. Study better with notes, highlights, and flashcards.

Title overview

The Life Span: Human Development for Helping Professionals provides in-depth discussion on life span development that can translate to best practices for future helping professionals. The authors delve into the science of human development for individuals working in fields such as education, counseling and social work. It 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.

The 6th Edition expands coverage in many essential areas such as stress, media and technology influences on children, and social information processing; adds useful new features such as chapter vignettes and boxes on key topics; incorporates abundant new research and data where applicable; updates figures and tables throughout; and much more.

Table of contents

  1. Organizing Themes in Development
  2. Genetics, Epigenetics, and the Brain: The Fundamentals of Behavioral Development
  3. Cognitive Development in the Early Years
  4. Emotional and Social Development in the Early Years
  5. The Emerging Self and Socialization in the Early Years
  6. Realms of Cognition in Middle Childhood
  7. Self and Moral Development: Middle Childhood Through Early Adolescence
  8. Sex, Gender, and Peer Relationships: Middle Childhood Through Early Adolescence
  9. Physical, Cognitive, and Identity Development in Adolescence
  10. The Social World of Adolescence
  11. Physical and Cognitive Development in Young Adulthood
  12. Socioemotional and Vocational Development in Young Adulthood
  13. Middle Adulthood: Cognitive, Personality, and Social Development
  14. Living Well: Stress, Coping, and Life Satisfaction in Adulthood
  15. Gains and Losses in Late Adulthood
  • Appendix: A Practitioner’s Guide to Psychological Science
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Author Index
  • Subject Index

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