Includes bibliographical references (p. [669]-730) and indexes.

Contents: 1. Prenatal development, infancy, and early childhood: The study of human development -- Biological foundations: heredity, prenatal development and birth -- Tools for exploring the world: physical development in infancy and early childhood -- The emergence of thought and language: Cognitive development in infancy and early childhood -- Entering the social world: socioemotional development in infancy and early childhood -- 2. School-age children and adolescents: Off to school: cognitive development in middle childhood -- Expanding social horizons: socioemotional development in middle childhood -- Rites of passage : physical and cognitive development in adolescence -- Moving into the adult social world: socioemotional development in adolescence -- 3. Young and middle adulthood: Becoming an adult: physical, cognitive and personality development -- Being with others: forming relationships in young and middle adulthood --Work and leisure: occupational and lifestyle issues in young and middle adulthood -- Making it in midlife: The unique challenges of middle adulthood -- 4. Late adulthood: The personal context of later life: physical, cognitive and mental health issues -- Social aspects of later life: psychosocial, retirement, relationship and societal issues -- The final passage: dying and bereavement --