The new edition of the leading textbook on the biopsychosocial processes of aging in adults, fully revised and updated. Adult Development and Aging, Second Canadian Edition helps student readers understand the aging process both in themselves and in those around them. Approaching the subject from the biopsychosocial perspective ― an innovative model of adult development that takes into account the influences and interactions of complex biological, psychological, and social processes, the authors explore the latest concepts and applications in this exciting academic discipline. Based on Susan Whitbourne's classroom experience teaching her Psychology of Aging course, this engaging textbook integrates current research, real-world data, detailed explanations, and relatable examples to provide a balanced and accessible examination of the subject. This important work is an invaluable source of topically relevant information for traditional college-age learners and mature returning students alike, as well as for instructors and academic researchers in areas of adult aging and lifespan development.
The fourth edition continues to provide psychologists with a fresh and engaging approach to the field of psychology of adult development and aging. It focuses on three themes: a multidisciplinary approach, positive images of aging, and the newest and most relevant research. Recent articles and updates to the information on demography, economics, and public policy are presented. The Aging in the News feature includes a story of a remarkable achievement by a middle-aged or older adult. The Assess Yourself boxes are also updated with new questions. Psychologists appreciate this mix of examples and discussions that make the material come to life.
Conveys an understanding of the ongoing process of adult ageing and development. The coverage ranges from basic topics such as theory and research to high-interest, current issues such as minority ageing, elder abuse, dual-career marriages, industrial gerontology and single parenthood.
The field of emotions research has recently seen an unexpected period of growth and expansion, both in traditional psychological literature and in gerontology. The Handbook of Emotion, Adult Development, and Aging provides a broad overview and summary of where this field stands today, specifically with reference to life course issues and aging. Written by a distinguished group of contributing authors, the text is grounded in a life span developmental framework, while advancing a multidimensional view of emotion and its development and incorporating quantitative and qualitative research findings.The book is divided into five parts. Part One discusses five major theoretical perspectives including biological, discrete emotions, ethological, humanistic, and psychosocial. Part Two on affect and cognition discusses the role of emotion in memory, problem solving, and internal perceptions of self and gender. Part Three on emotion and relationships expands on the role of emotion in sibling and parent/child relationships, as well as relationships between friends and romantic partners, and the emotional reaction to interpersonal loss across the life span. Part Four on stress, health, and psychological well-being treats issues of stress and coping, religion, personality, and quality of life. The final part on continuity and change in emotion patterns and personality discusses emotion and emotionality throughout the life span.An ideal reference source for professionals across a wide range of disciplines, the text summarizes recent important developments in this fast growing area of psychology and proposes many new directions for future research. - Provides a biopsychological view on emotion in adulthood from a life span context - Presents the new perspective on emotion in older adults actively engaged in emotion self-regulation - Describes the intimate connection between emotion and the structure of personality - Demonstrates a new perspective on what emotion is, its importance across the life span, its connections with cognition, its role in interpersonal relation, and the way it influences both stability and change in adulthood - Illustrates the interpersonal nature of emotion - Provides theoretically based, leading edge research from international authors - Five areas of coverage include: - Theoretical perspectives - Affect and cognition - Emotion and relationships - Stress, health, and psychological well-being - Continuity and change in emotion patterns and personality Coverage includes: - Five major theoretical perspectives, including biological, discrete emotions, ethological, humanistic, and psychosocial - The role of emotion in memory, problem-solving, and internal perceptions of self and gender - The role of emotion in sibling and parent/child relationships, relationships between friends and romantic partners, and the emotional reaction to interpersonal loss across the lifespan - Issues of stress and coping, religion, personality, and quality of life - Emotion and emotionality throughout the lifespan
“An outstanding contribution to the study of aging” from a psychiatrist and professor at Harvard Medical School (Publishers Weekly). In an unprecedented series of studies, Harvard Medical School has followed 824 subjects—men and women, some rich, some poor—from their teens to old age. Harvard's George Vaillant now uses these studies—the most complete ever done anywhere in the world—and the subjects' individual histories to illustrate the factors involved in reaching a happy, healthy old age. He explains precisely why some people turn out to be more resilient than others, the complicated effects of marriage and divorce, negative personality changes, and how to live a more fulfilling, satisfying and rewarding life in the later years. He shows why a person's background has less to do with their eventual happiness than the specific lifestyle choices they make. And he offers step-by-step advice about how each of us can change our lifestyles and age successfully. Sure to be debated on talk shows and in living rooms, Vaillant's definitive and inspiring book is the new classic account of how we live and how we can live better. It will receive massive media attention, and with good reason: we have never seen anything like it, and what it has to tell us will make all the difference in the world. “A respected researcher. . . . offers suggestions for successful and happy aging. Highly recommended.” —Library Journal “Astonishing observations. . . . [Aging Well] provides the only available longitudinal assessment of the factors that will permit us to age well.” —New England Journal of Medicine “Perceptive, understanding, and often tinged with delightful humor.” —Booklist
This comprehensive book helps readers process a clear picture of adult development and aging with the help and results of intensive scientific research. It challenges common stereotypes about this subject matter, and interprets the research data into an optimistic yet realistic appraisal of the many problems faced by the elderly in today's society. Chapter topics look at independence and intimacy in young adulthood; responsibility and failure in the middle years; the reintegration or despair of later life; research methodology; families; careers; personality development; learning and memory; intellectual and biological development; mental disorders; and death and bereavement. For individuals who want to view the potential richness of life— at all stages, and/or understand the lives of older adults they may care for.
This text offers a clear account of the salient issues and concerns that dominate the field of adult development. Gender differences and race/ethnic diversity are discussed in their relation to all major topics. There is also coverage on the impact of religion and spirituality.
