Synopses & Reviews
The doubling of our average life span since the turn of the 20th century is considered by many scholars to be one of the most important changes in human existence. This definitive text is the only volume to fully address, through a multidisciplinary perspective, the biological, cognitive, and psychological development that occurs from infancy through old age, and how the sociocultural and institutional factors interface with these changes.
Edited by leading research scholars in the field of life-span development, the volume also includes contributions of specialists in behavioral genetics, socioemotional selectivity theory, neuroscience, ecological models, and more. It examines the dynamics of close relationships and informal ties among the elderly population, child-parent attachment relationships as a life-span phenomenon, developmental tasks across the lifespan, continuity and discontinuity in temperament and personality, the sociocultural context of cognition across the life span, and variability in approaches to social problem solving from early to later life. Given the number of recent demographic shifts, it also explores issues related to fertility, life expectancy, environmental contexts, technology, immigration, and public policy. Key Features:
- Integrates the full life span from infancy through old age in each chapter
- Considers multidisciplinary perspectives that address personal relationships, cognitive development, and social, emotional, and physical health across the life span
- Situates life-span development in ecological contexts (e.g., socioeconomic, neighborhood, and immigration status)
- Provides a concise but thorough resource for graduate seminars in life-span-related studies
- Highlights future issues in all areas of life-span study
Synopsis
Old age has become a normal and expected period of life, rather than an exception. The percentage of citizens aged 65 or older will double by the year 2050. Because of this profound demographic shift, it has become necessary to better understand the biological and psychological changes that occur over the lifespan and, more importantly, how socio-cultural and institutional factors can influence or mediate these changes.
This handbook comprehensively investigates the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development of the aging population. Covering innovative new theories of aging, the book discusses behavioral genetics, socio-emotional selectivity theory, various ecological models, and more. The book also examines the dynamics of close relationships among the elderly population, temperament and personality traits, and psychopathology. Additionally, given the number of demographical shifts of recent years, the authors also explore issues related to fertility and life expectancy, environmental contexts, technology, immigration, and public policy.
Synopsis
The handbook is an impressive collection of research studies and theories provided by knowledgeable contributors on life-span development from conception to old age.--Anthropology and Aging Quarterly
The doubling of our average life span since the turn of the 20th century is considered by many scholars to be one of the most important changes in human existence. This definitive text is the only volume to fully address, through a multidisciplinary perspective, the biological, cognitive, and psychological development that occurs from infancy through old age, and how the sociocultural and institutional factors interface with these changes.
Edited by leading research scholars in the field of life-span development, the volume also includes contributions of specialists in behavioral genetics, socioemotional selectivity theory, neuroscience, ecological models, and more. It examines the dynamics of close relationships and informal ties among the elderly population, child-parent attachment relationships as a life-span phenomenon, developmental tasks across the lifespan, continuity and discontinuity in temperament and personality, the sociocultural context of cognition across the life span, and variability in approaches to social problem solving from early to later life. Given the number of recent demographic shifts, it also explores issues related to fertility, life expectancy, environmental contexts, technology, immigration, and public policy.
Key Features:
- Integrates the full life span from infancy through old age in each chapter
- Considers multidisciplinary perspectives that address personal relationships, cognitive development, and social, emotional, and physical health across the life span
- Situates life-span development in ecological contexts (e.g., socioeconomic, neighborhood, and immigration status)
- Provides a concise but thorough resource for graduate seminars in life-span-related studies
- Highlights future issues in all areas of life-span study