Human Growth and Development

This is a bestselling introduction to emotional, psychological, intellectual and social development throughout the lifespan. Written for students training in fields such as social work, health care and education, the book covers topics which are central to understanding people whether they are clients, service users, patients or pupils. Half Title 2 Publisher Note 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Acknowledgements 9 Contents 10 About the Authors 11 Preface to the Third Edition 12 1 Introduction 13 1 The Birth of a Human Being What makes us who we are? 15 2 The Balancing Act Psychodynamic Insights 53 3 A Secure Base The Importance of Attachment 105 4 The Emergence of Reason The Developing Ability to Understand 149 5 Making Connections Ideas from Behaviourism 188 6 Who Am I Going to Be? Adolescence, Identity and Change 232 7 Acting like a Grown-up Challenges of Adulthood 276 8 Access to Adulthood Growing up with a Disability 312 9 No Man is an Island Family Systems and Their Life Cycle 351 10 It Takes a Village A Sociological Perspective 387 11 Coming to a Conclusion Dimensions of Old Age 422 12 That Good Night Death, Dying and Bereavement 449 References 482 Index 522 Aimed at students within social work, health, nursing and education, the author presents key theories and empirical evidence about the way people grow and change over their lifespan, relating theoretical ideas to practice