Skip to content
CuraCourse
Log inGet started for free
Library
Cover of Lifespan Development

Lifespan Development

by Diana Riser, Rose Spielman and David Biek

Published by OpenStax

PsychologyCollege

Lifespan Development aligns to the topics and objectives of most introductory developmental psychology courses taught across departments. Grounded in foundational theories and scientific research, the text teaches students about core aspects of human development—physical, cognitive, social, emotional—across the lifespan. A primary goal of the book is to incorporate content, scholarship, and activities that explore a variety of perspectives that encourage all students to feel seen and included. Lifespan Development strives to openly address complex topics with scholarly responsibility and an effort to increase equity and inclusion in the research presented, as well as to foster student engagement in the classroom through relevant examples and applications. Focused on driving meaningful and memorable learning experiences, the narrative places concepts in contexts that give students the means to understand human development and how that knowledge can be applied to and improve their own lives and the lives of others.

Teach with this book. Sign up freeAlready have an account? Log in

Adopted pages stay linked to the book. Make your own copy of any page to change it for your class.

Attribution

Adapted from Lifespan Development by Diana Riser, Rose Spielman, and David Biek, published by OpenStax (Rice University) under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/). Access the original for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/lifespan-development. Changes: converted to CuraCourse lessons, with interactive practice added.

Table of contents

117 pages in 18 modules. Sign up to read and adopt them.

  1. Preface1 page
    1. Preface
  2. 1Lifespan Psychology and Developmental Theories7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 1.1Psychology and Human Development
    3. 1.2Themes of Development
    4. 1.3Major Theories and Theorists
    5. 1.4Contexts and Settings of Development
    6. 1.5Lifespan Development as a Science: Research Methods
    7. Practice
  3. 2Genetic, Prenatal, and Perinatal Health7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 2.1Genetics and Environment
    3. 2.2Reproductive Systems and Conception
    4. 2.3Pregnancy and Prenatal Development
    5. 2.4Childbirth and Perinatal Health
    6. 2.5The Newborn in Context
    7. Practice
  4. 3Physical and Cognitive Development in Infants and Toddlers (Birth to Age 3)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 3.1Physical Development in Infants and Toddlers
    3. 3.2Motor Development in Infants and Toddlers
    4. 3.3Sensory Development in Infants and Toddlers
    5. 3.4Cognition and Memory in Infants and Toddlers
    6. 3.5Language in Infants and Toddlers
    7. Practice
  5. 4Social and Emotional Development in Infants and Toddlers (Birth to Age 3)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 4.1Autonomy and Sense of Self in Infants and Toddlers
    3. 4.2Temperament and Personality in Infants and Toddlers
    4. 4.3Emotional Development in Infants and Toddlers
    5. 4.4Social Development in Infants and Toddlers
    6. 4.5Social Contexts and Influences in Infants and Toddlers
    7. Practice
  6. 5Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Childhood (Ages 3 to 6)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 5.1Physical Health and Growth in Early Childhood
    3. 5.2Motor Development and Physical Skills in Early Childhood
    4. 5.3Cognition in Early Childhood
    5. 5.4Language in Early Childhood
    6. 5.5Play in Early Childhood
    7. Practice
  7. 6Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood (Ages 3 to 6)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 6.1Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood
    3. 6.2Identity in Context: Gender Development and Racial Identity in Early Childhood
    4. 6.3Families as Context in Early Childhood
    5. 6.4Social Contexts: Peers, Play, and Friendship in Early Childhood
    6. 6.5Media Exposure and Literacy in Early Childhood
    7. Practice
  8. 7Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood (Ages 7 to 12)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 7.1Physical Development and Health in Middle Childhood
    3. 7.2Cognition in Middle Childhood
    4. 7.3Intelligence in Middle Childhood
    5. 7.4Contexts: School and Learning Diversity in Middle Childhood
    6. 7.5Language in Middle Childhood
    7. Practice
  9. 8Social and Emotional Development in Middle Childhood (Ages 7 to 12)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 8.1Identity, Self-Concept, and Self-Esteem in Middle Childhood
    3. 8.2Emotional Development and Socioemotional Learning in Middle Childhood
    4. 8.3Social Contexts: Peers, Family, and Media in Middle Childhood
    5. 8.4Context: School and Extracurricular Activities in Middle Childhood
    6. 8.5Atypical Development and Interventions in Middle Childhood
    7. Practice
  10. 9Physical and Cognitive Development in Adolescence (Ages 12 to 18)6 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 9.1Physical Growth and Development in Adolescence
    3. 9.2Puberty, Sexual Behavior, and Sexual Health in Adolescence
    4. 9.3Cognition in Adolescence
    5. 9.4Decision-Making and Risky Behaviors in Adolescence
    6. Practice
  11. 10Social and Emotional Development in Adolescence (Ages 12 to 18)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 10.1Theories of Adolescent Socioemotional Development
    3. 10.2Emotional and Self-Development in Adolescence
    4. 10.3Identity and Culture: Race/Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality in Adolescence
    5. 10.4Social Contexts in Adolescence
    6. 10.5Family and Community Contexts in Adolescence
    7. Practice
  12. 11Physical and Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood (Ages 18 to 29)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 11.1Becoming an Adult
    3. 11.2Physical Health and Growth in Early Adulthood
    4. 11.3Sexuality in Early Adulthood
    5. 11.4Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood
    6. 11.5Contexts: Higher Education and Work Achievement in Early Adulthood
    7. Practice
  13. 12Social and Emotional Development in Early Adulthood (Ages 18 to 29)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 12.1The Development of Self in Early Adulthood
    3. 12.2Identity Development in Context in Early Adulthood
    4. 12.3Relationships with Friends and Family in Early Adulthood
    5. 12.4Contexts: School and Work Settings in Early Adulthood
    6. 12.5Finding Love, Intimacy, and Romance in Early Adulthood
    7. Practice
  14. 13Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood (Ages 30 to 59)6 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 13.1Physical Development in Middle Adulthood
    3. 13.2Reproductive and Sexual Changes in Middle Adulthood
    4. 13.3Cognition in Middle Adulthood
    5. 13.4Maintaining Health and Well-Being in Middle Adulthood
    6. Practice
  15. 14Social and Emotional Development in Middle Adulthood (Ages 30 to 59)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 14.1Development of Self, Personality, and Identity in Middle Adulthood
    3. 14.2Contexts: Love and Romance in Middle Adulthood
    4. 14.3Households and Parenting in Middle Adulthood
    5. 14.4Transitions in Caregiving Roles in Middle Adulthood
    6. 14.5A Successful Middle Adulthood
    7. Practice
  16. 15Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood (Age 60 and Beyond)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 15.1Physical Aging in Late Adulthood
    3. 15.2Health Risks in Late Adulthood
    4. 15.3Cognition and Memory in Late Adulthood
    5. 15.4Brain Disorders in Late Adulthood
    6. 15.5Successful Physical and Cognitive Aging in Late Adulthood
    7. Practice
  17. 16Social and Emotional Development in Late Adulthood (Age 60 and Beyond)7 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 16.1The Meaning of Aging in Late Adulthood
    3. 16.2Contexts: Family, Friendships, Romantic Relationships, and Social Communities in Late Adulthood
    4. 16.3Retirement in Late Adulthood
    5. 16.4Living Environments and Aging in Late Adulthood
    6. 16.5Successful Social and Emotional Aging in Late Adulthood
    7. Practice
  18. 17Death, Dying, and Grieving6 pages
    1. What Does Psychology Say?
    2. 17.1Biological, Psychological, and Social Aspects of Death and Dying
    3. 17.2End-of-Life Care
    4. 17.3Coping with Death
    5. 17.4Life Review, Successful Life, and a Good Death
    6. Practice