Adult Development and Aging

by John C. Cavanaugh, Fredda Blanchard-Fields

Written within a biopsychosocial framework, Cavanaugh and Blanchard-Fields' best-selling text covers the specific ages-stages of adult development and aging. In its unparalleled coverage of current research and theory, the authors draw clear connections between research and application. The book's focus on "positive aging" and the gains and losses people experience across adulthood distinguish it from its competitors. This edition features more real-world examples and new research trends.

Genres: Psychology, Textbooks, Nonfiction, Read For School

608 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1989

Reviews

[Kristen]

I read this for class. It was informative and easy to read.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the easier textbooks that I have had to read for class. I appreciated how straightforward it was about a lot of the material. I had to read the entire textbook for the class, which is different from other classes where some chapters are covered and some aren't. Something that stuck out was the use of the term physician-assisted suicide instead of physician-assisted death, which is the proper terminology that I have been taught to use in other college classes.

[Amber Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

By far the worst textbook my school could have chosen. As a paramedic of 7 years with advanced training in geriatrics this book is rife with inaccuracies. It is full of more wrong information than right information. I have the 7th edition and I do not recommend this author write anymore books about things they're clearly not educated in.

[Patrick Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into ageism and how we evolve throughout our older adulthood psychologically. Some sections seemed expounded upon in great lengths that didn’t seem to fit the theme of the book as well, however it was very educational. Also minus points for a section on death, not the books fault at all, I just have death anxiety that gives me palpitations when reading that sort of material.

[Kristina Bartholomew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a helpful book to learn about what to expect when you get older. Not all of it is bad but it teaches us how to deal with the harsh parts of aging. It also teaches us how important it is to not have stereotypes or discriminate against older adults.

[Patricia Lott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I reviewed the 2019 Edition and found it kind of like eating dry toast. I didn't adopt it because if I struggled with it I didn't want my students to force it down for a grade 😀. I am sure there is faculty that love it. in fact the professor before me used this text. It just wasn't for me

[Ellie J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

This textbook wasn't really bad, but if you've taken regular developmental psych, then this is basically just a regurgitation of the middle to late life units. I'm not really sure why this textbook is as long as it is since it doesn't really introduce any new concepts.

[Cameron Gravely · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm writing this review on behalf of the new edition which is F*cking garbage, 2025 9th Edition. so concerned with being politically correct every other paragraph I swear contains the word cisgender or transgender, f*cking ridiculous.

[Nex Juice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as part of my Psychology of Aging course for my Fall 2020 semester. It wasn't particularly interesting to me, as most of the conclusions are that we can't make sweeping generalizations about people based on their age, because their individual circumstances cause for much diversity. One important thing to remember (which I already knew before dishing out hundreds of dollars for this course) is that what you believe about your age will be basically true. For instance, if you believe that you're losing your memory because you are getting older, you will perform worse on memory-related tasks than those who believe that they still have a strong memory, regardless of their age. In this way, believing is seeing.

The class was a breeze and I'm looking forward to the days when I can go back to learning about the things that really interest me, as opposed to learning basic concepts over a series of 3+ months. It's so unnecessarily dragged out.

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sadly, I am currently teaching out of this book. It is one of the most textbooky textbooks I have ever encountered. My poor students. It's painful to read, I know. It does have a lot of valuable information if you can get past the boringness of it all.

[Aloysius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some contradicting/inaccurate statements, but overall a decent book. Read it for my adult development module.

[Belle Meade School]

155.6