LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT: A Chronological Approach is an engaging and comprehensive text that explores the complexities of human development throughout the lifespan. The text is organized chronologically, beginning with prenatal development and progressing through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.

What sets Lifespan Development apart is its emphasis on the growth perspective, which focuses on the ways in which individuals develop and grow over time, rather than on fixed stages or milestones. This approach allows students to see development as a dynamic, lifelong process that is shaped by a multitude of factors, including biology, culture, environment, and personal experiences.

In this Fourth Edition, the authors have expanded their focus on the lifespan approach, weaving in four overarching themes that run throughout the text:

1. Lifelong Growth: Emphasizing the continuous nature of development, the text highlights the ways in which individuals continue to learn, grow, and adapt throughout their lives.

2. Continuity and Change: Recognizing that development involves both stability and change, the text explores how individuals maintain certain characteristics and abilities over time, while also experiencing new challenges and opportunities.

3. Changing Meanings and Vantage Points: Acknowledging that individuals' perceptions and interpretations of events and experiences may shift over time, the text explores how different vantage points can influence development and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.

4. Developmental Diversity: Emphasizing the importance of understanding and valuing diversity, the text explores how factors such as culture, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status can shape development and influence individuals' experiences across the lifespan.

Throughout the text, the authors use a variety of pedagogical tools to enhance student learning, including case studies, real-world examples, and research highlights. Additionally, the Fourth Edition includes updated coverage of emerging research and trends in the field, including the impact of technology on development and the changing nature of family structures.
 
►Comprehensive coverage of current issues, topics, and scholarly research. The text has been thoroughly updated to reflect current research, theories, and applications. This edition includes comprehensive coverage of the impact of COVID-19/Pandemic on physical health, mental well-being, and behaviors across the lifespan including death and bereavement. In addition, there is an increased focus on the impact of microaggressions, overt, and covert racism, and systemic racism development.
 
►Unifying themes are integrated throughout the text. The presentation emphasizes four lifespan themes: Lifelong Growth, Continuity and Change, Changing Meanings and Vantage Points, and Developmental Diversity.
 
►A broad range of examples and applications. The examples and applications presented throughout the text increase the relevance of key concepts and issues for a wide range of students.
 
►Multicultural coverage. Extensive multicultural content is integrated throughout the text, including "A Multicultural View” boxed in­serts. These boxes are found in each chapter and highlight issues of development from a cross-cultural or multicultural perspective.
 
►A critical research approach. All material is based on a firm understanding of current research in the field, balancing the inclusion of classic and re­cent studies and presenting research in a manner that is accessible to students.
 
►An accessible and relevant text that offers a unique narrative. The natural and relaxed writing style promotes the sense of a conversation between the authors and the reader, facilitating student engagement with the content.​​
 
►Contemporary design with a rich illustration program. Numerous graphs, fig­ures, and tables reinforce the text discussions by pro­viding a visual guide to key concepts.
 
►Student-friendly pedagogy and features. Each chapter contains a wealth of in-text study aids: chapter outlines, focusing questions, on-page key term definitions, box inserts ("Focusing On...", "Working With" Interviews, and "A Multicultural View") comprehensive chapter reviews, and much more.​​​
 
►Complete Instructor's Support Package. Instructor's Resource Manual, Test Item File, PowerPoint Lecture Slides, and Online Video Labs with Student Worksheets.