Adult Development and Aging: Biopsychosocial Perspectives

by Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Stacey B. Whitbourne

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 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.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Textbooks, School

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D., is currently a professor of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where for 20 years she directed the undergraduate Honors Program in Psychology. She now directs the Commonwealth Honors College's Office of National Scholarship Advisement. She grew up in Buffalo, N.Y. and graduated from the University at Buffalo. She received her Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Columbia University and completed a postdoctoral respecialization program in clinical psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The author of over 150 refereed articles and book chapters and 16 books (many in multiple editions and translations), her most recent work is The Search for Fulfillment (January 2010, Ballantine Books). Her research covers a wide range of topics related to adult development and aging, including personality development through midlife, contributors to successful aging, predictors of memory performance, and the relationship between physical health and sense of personal identity. She teaches large undergraduate lecture classes and maintains an active lab of graduate students whose research focuses on life-span development, dementia, and functional abilities in older adults.

Recepient of a 2011 Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association, she is the winner of national and campus teaching and advising awards. She has served in executive board and advisory roles in regional and national professional organizations including the American Psychological Association (Council of Representatives and Membership Board), the Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs (Chair-Elect), the Eastern Psychological Association (Executive Board), the Society for the Study of Human Development (past President), the Gerontological Society of America (Executive Board member), the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (Executive Board member), and Psi Chi (past Eastern Regional Vice President), as well as a member of numerous task forces and advisory panels at the national, regional, state, and campus levels.

Whitbourne lives in Amherst, Massachusetts with her husband and has the distinct pleasure of having raised two daughters who chose to follow their mother's profession. Her older daughter, Stacey, a developmental/health psychologist, is now a co-author on her adult development text, and her younger daughter, Jennifer is pursuing her doctorate in clinical psychology. Her hobbies include knitting and playing the piano, and through her frequent participation in aerobics classes, she practices what she preaches about the value of aging and exercise.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avverkad; avsnittet om personlighet kopplat till vuxenlivet, åldrande och livsvägar fick en att smälla av. Älskar traitperspektivet; skinkar in ett citat som fångar vikten av det paradigmet:

”Adult career outcomes could be predicted from both questionnaires measures and teacher observations on personality-like qualities of adherence to school rules, inattentiveness, pessimism and feelings of inferiority — above and beyond — the effects of parent SES (socioeconomic status) and IQ (…) there can be significant consequences of personality characteristics emerging early in life whose effects persists throughout the adult years”


Above and beyond. Smäller av.

Lättläst överlag, för att vara kurslitteratur: 4+

[Ira Therebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great textbook.

I enjoy reading about psychology and about seniors I didn't know that much.

It explores different areas such as health, relationships work etc. It is of course a great read for the ones who will have to work with older adults, but I would also suggest it to certain Millenials who when hearing the word "ageism" think about how oppressed they are because they can't afford the house. Maybe it could open their eyes about lives of people in the generation they are mad at so much and what real issues related to age are. (No it isn't about baby boomers specifically but many of them are in that are and about to enter it now)

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a textbook, it was pretty good. It was interesting, not hard to follow and had some humor. I'm still laughing at one of her opening comments something about 'In order to be old, the first step is not to die'. It had some insights into how to talk with the elderly, how not to treat them like toddlers and how to age.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good textbook. It was informative and had enough graphics. It's exactly what I expect a textbook to be.

[Shelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like the layout of the information in this textbook.

[Christine Allen Carlsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One book in a plethora of textbooks I am trying to review in order to pass comprehensive exams as a psychologist in Sweden. Having graduated in '99, my specific knowledge is somewhat general at this point. Take-away points: exercise - it will extend your life, improve the quality, improve memory. Eat less. There is a direct correlation between eating less and living longer. Get used to being hungry - boo! Do strength training as it is good for apparently everything - who knew weights were the key to longer better life? Have meaningful relationships as this is what sustains older folks and also improves memory and life satisfaction. Get married if you want to live longer.