Published by Pearson (February 9, 2026) © 2027
Currently unavailable
Discovering the Life Span provides a broad overview of a human life, from conception through death. Utilizing a flexible, modular organization, author Robert Feldman covers the life span chronologically and focuses on physical, cognitive, and social and personality development within each stage of life. An engaging writing style makes the material meaningful and prepares you to apply what you're learning to your own life.
The 6th Edition includes comprehensive updates, with fresh material on the importance of reading to preschool children, vaping in adolescence, postpartum depression and more. Numerous contemporary images have been added to the text’s photo program to help you connect with the material.
1. Introduction
Module 1.1: Beginnings
Module 1.2: Theoretical Perspectives on Life Span Development
Module 1.3: Research Methods
2. The Start of Life
Module 2.1: Prenatal Development
Module 2.2: Prenatal Growth and Change
Module 2.3: Birth and the Newborn Infant
3. Infancy
Module 3.1: Physical Development in Infancy
Module 3.2: Cognitive Development in Infancy
Module 3.3: Social and Personality Development in Infancy
4. The Preschool Years
Module 4.1: Physical Development in the Preschool Years
Module 4.2: Cognitive Development in the Preschool Years
Module 4.3: Social and Personality Development in the Preschool Years
5. Middle Childhood
Module 5.1: Physical Development in Middle Childhood
Module 5.2: Cognitive Development in Middle Childhood
Module 5.3: Social and Personality Development in Middle Childhood
6. Adolescence
Module 6.1: Physical Development in Adolescence
Module 6.2: Cognitive Development in Adolescence
Module 6.3: Social and Personality Development in Adolescence
7. Early Adulthood
Module 7.1: Physical Development in Early Adulthood
Module 7.2: Cognitive Development in Early Adulthood
Module 7.3: Social and Personality Development in Early Adulthood
8. Middle Adulthood
Module 8.1: Physical Development in Middle Adulthood
Module 8.2: Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood
Module 8.3: Social and Personality Development in Middle Adulthood
9. Late Adulthood
Module 9.1: Physical Development in Late Adulthood
Module 9.2: Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood
Module 9.3: Social and Personality Development in Late Adulthood
10. Death and Dying
Module 10.1: Death and Dying Across the Life Span
Module 10.2: Confronting Death
Module 10.3: Grief and Bereavement
Inspire engagement through active learning. Revel® integrates interactives and assessments into a compelling digital narrative. By applying concepts as they read, students immerse themselves in learning, deepening their understanding. This mobile, user-friendly platform empowers students to learn and study on the go, anytime, anywhere, on any device.
All in one place. Pearson+ offers instant access to eTextbooks, videos and study tools in one intuitive interface. Students choose how they learn best with enhanced search, audio and flashcards. The Pearson+ app lets them read where life takes them, no wi-fi needed. Students can access Pearson+ through a subscription or their MyLab or Mastering course.