Human Growth and Development

by Chris Beckett

This textbook provides a student-friendly introduction to social and psychological human development across the lifespan. The author presents the key theories and empirical evidence about the way people grow and change over the lifespan, relating theoretical ideas to practice. The book uses examples based on real situations and invites the reader to measure ideas against their own experience and intuitions. It contains a wealth of material, presented with a strong focus on clarity and explanation.  

Genres: Psychology, Reference

Paperback

First published March 13, 2002

About the author

Chris Beckett is a British social worker, university lecturer, and science fiction author.

Beckett was educated at the Dragon School in Oxford and Bryanston School in Dorset, England. He holds a BSc (Honours) in Psychology from the University of Bristol (1977), a CQSW from the University of Wales (1981), a Diploma in Advanced Social Work from Goldsmiths College, University of London (1977), and an MA in English Studies from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge (2005).

He has been a senior lecturer in social work at APU since 2000. He was a social worker for eight years and the manager of a children and families social work team for ten years. Beckett has authored or co-authored several textbooks and scholarly articles on social work.

Beckett began writing SF short stories in 2005. His first SF novel, The Holy Machine, was published in 2007. He published his second novel in 2009, Marcher, based on a short story of the same name.

Paul Di Filippo reviewed The Holy Machine for Asimov's, calling it "One of the most accomplished novel debuts to attract my attention in some time..." Michael Levy of Strange Horizons called it "a beautifully written and deeply thoughtful tale about a would-be scientific utopia that has been bent sadly out of shape by both external and internal pressures." Tony Ballantyne wrote in Interzone: "Let’s waste no time: this book is incredible."

His latest novel, Dark Eden, was hailed by Stuart Kelly of The Guardian as "a superior piece of the theologically nuanced science fiction".

Dark Eden was shortlisted for the 2012 BSFA Award for Best Novel.

On 27 March 2013 it was announced that Julian Pavia at Broadway Books, part of the Crown Publishing Group, had acquired the US rights to Dark Eden and Gela's Ring from Michael Carlisle at Inkwell Management and Vanessa Kerr, Rights Director at Grove Atlantic in London, for a high five-figure sum (in US dollars).

Beckett comments on his official website: "Although I always wanted to be a writer, I did not deliberately set out to be a science fiction writer in particular. My stories are usually about my own life, things I see happening around me and things I struggle to make sense of. But, for some reason, they always end up being science fiction. I like the freedom it gives me to invent things and play with ideas. (If you going to make up the characters, why not make up the world as well?) It’s what works for me."

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to supplement material for a class and I was pleasantly surprised. It was different than I was expecting, going deep into theory rather than straight forward developmental stages. The authors are quick to constructive criticism, which makes it an interesting read. It is a good overview of the central theories behind human development.

[Schuyler Endres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for a psychology elective course that was based on the book. It was such an interesting and easy read, and it brought up a lot of insightful discussions in my class. It really helped me get a better idea of what I would/should do when working with people in various situations through the lens of social work.

[Abigail Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must-read for helping professionals

An easy read to help understand the growth and development of a human from birth to death.
Useful reference to understand the evolving human being in relations to life experiences.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Educational and easy read.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super concise and easy to understand text. I genuinely enjoyed reading it

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise, pleasant read on human development. A thoughtful overview with helpful case studies and examples.