The psychology of human development includes cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development throughout the life span. Comprehensive presentation of the issues, forces, and outcomes that make us who we are. Topics in childhood and adolescence, emphasize child development including all stages from conception, through childhood, adolescence, adult issues, later life and gerontology, cover all life span stages and important topics. Development is presented in a chronological and sequential order from conception through death, while also presenting important themes and theories essential to this field of psychology. Provides an extensive amount of information on developmental stages covering theoretical and empirical foundations that enable students to become educated, critical interpreters of developmental information. A blend of basic and applied research, as well as coverage of controversial topics and emergent trends, demonstrating connections between the laboratory and life is presented.