Invitation to the LifeSpan & Study Guide

by Kathleen Stassen Berger

KATHLEEN STASSEN BERGER’s bestselling textbooks are un-matched for the engrossing, culturally inclusive way they communicate the essential science of human development. But that does not even begin to convey what the Berger experience is: What makes these bestselling textbooks so distinctive is the unmistakable presence of KATHLEEN STASSEN BERGER on every page, in writing that continually draws on the author’s teaching and family life to demonstrate a remarkable understanding not just of the field, but of students’ questions, their concerns, and their lives.





The distinctive, definitive BERGER touch is evident throughout her new textbook, Invitation to the Life Span. This brief, original, 15-chapter textbook was created from page 1 to address the challenges teachers and students face when covering the entire life span in a semester (or even a quarter!). The hallmark Berger qualities are all here—the relatable presentation of research, the inclusive approach to world cultures, the study help that builds critical thinking and observational skills, the outstanding media and supplements—and all held together with Berger’s skill in bringing students and the science together.

Genres: School, Psychology, Textbooks, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published November 23, 2009

Reviews

[drew :) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate reading textbook 😴

read for a class

[Emma]

Another textbook that was read all the way through. They will be counted!

[Luke Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a textbook, this is one of the most accessible, interesting, and readable volumes I’ve come across in a long time. Excellent for anyone interested in an overview of human development and behavior.

[Lucy Conte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it this year, so I'm counting it. Tbh good for a textbook

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first text book I have ever read in it's entirety. It was the required text for my Developmental Psychology class. It has an efficient layout that encourages learning, and I feel it is relevant to all life groups.

[Tracy Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never actually read an assigned text book, cover to cover, until now.
At 49, I wish I read this 25 years ago.
My class was titled "developmental psych".
It should have been titled "developmental science".
It is loaded with science, facts, relevant correlational data. Things to think about - if you cherish your life, your children, your family.
The author combines science with her own personal experiences. Loved my class, because of her text. Excellent.

[Lilith McBrown · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a textbook. That's all I really have to say about it.

As a person who does not enjoy class readings, I loved how understandable this book was. This is the first textbook I bought that actually felt worth the money.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for a text book on developmental psych, wonderfully illustrated, succinct points and great narrative in the writing. Easy to read when you have to absorb so much.

[Holly Pretzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far and away the easiest textbook I've read. It's not dry at all and packed with great information. Like others, this is the first textbook I read in its entirety. I appreciated its human touch and anecdotes, though I didn't always agree with the author. She did try to be unbiased. I could see myself reading this if I found it outside of class. I learned a lot and hope textbooks start replicating this style in the future.

I'm including it because this is a giant book and it would suck not to include it in my page count.

[Qué tal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for my Human Development course. All the quizzes and tests were based off the reading. Since I read the book I wanted it to count towards my Good Reads goal. I did actually enjoy this book as well as the course and learned quite a bit from it.

[Kate M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a class but it was actually a text book that I enjoyed reading.

[Emmaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was required reading for Developmental Psychology and I read it cover to cover. Really an interesting read.

[Gabriella]

Read for shool

[Anita Kalsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

why did this textbook make me feel feelings though

[Alyssa Bader · Rating 4 out of 5]

For school! Super informative (though I may could have learned more if I had done less skimming ;))

[Guinea Pig Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read this book for my Lifespan Development course, it was the first textbook I've read cover to cover. It was an interesting read, and I learned a lot throughout the semester.

[Books-fly-to-me · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the author has an upbeat writing style, the book felt like Lifespan lite. The subjects she dug into were not that interesting and there were more that could have been explored with more depth. Dacey et al. (2009), while not as chipper as Berger's book, goes more in depth for those subjects that interest the doctoral student. Perhaps Berger's book is intended for undergraduate audiences.

In particular, I felt her chapter on Late Adulthood suffered from too sparse coverage although she did treat ageism with enough depth to satisfy and inform. Her chapter on death and dying was too little to be interesting and missed some topics that would have served the serious student. In preceding chapters, her coverage of resilience was superficial. These are just example of issues I had with the whole text and I read it cover to cover. Frankly, it was too frothy to be used as a stand alone text and I supplemented it with the Dacey text and various journal articles.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the text book I had to read for my Life Span Psych class. The quizzes and tests for this class were based purely on the text, which means that I read all 589 pages of it. It was pretty intense reading since this was a summer term class. Overall, I think Berger did a great job with this text. The information was laid out in a very organized, easy to follow format. Generally, the information was interesting (especially the part about ADHD when it started perfectly describing my son!)

Berger subscribes to the theory that humans are over-populating the Earth. I found this very annoying, but I'll forgive her her crack-pot political theories if she will forgive me mine!

[Shadow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have had worse psych text books, but honestly, it's kind of boring and wordy for no reason. Also, it seems to be laid out like a lot of philosophy and science books...that is, completely random order that does not aid in retention. If you have to read it, just get through it is my suggestion.

[Salimah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will most definitely refer back to this textbook when raising children or if I ever have to work with children. Unlike most psychology texts, this one focused less on biology and more on causation/correlational factors.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better text books I've read. I think being interested in how and why people live the way they do helped. If studies and trends didn't change so quickly I would like to own this.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating!

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must-read for everyone who works with children, wants to work with children, or have children!

[Leslee Ramoran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to use this for my psychology 240 class. If you actually read it, it's pretty interesting. It's easy to get into if you're able to relate it to yourself.

[Karen]

Great book about development throughout the lifespan.

[April Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally appreciate the anecdotes through the chapters instead of just a vocabulary set to memorize for exams.

[Elizabeth]

Since we read the whole textbook just thought I might as well count it to my goal. Eh, didn't want to take the class but needed another social science elective so there it is.....

[Sss Book]

2 of 2

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this book, so much useful information. throughout my studies I continue to come back to it for research.

[Alyssa Indira · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another course down, one more to go, then im entirely FREEEEE