Developmental Psychology

′It is light and inviting...and the text is provided in a student-friendy format.... this book is clearly written by someone with an enthusiasm and interest for how students today learn′ -
Olivia Sagan
Psychology Learning and Teaching
Have really appreciated the activities, questions and inclusion of short, relevant papers for discussion in Yr 1. Particularly useful in my teaching preparation - I think you could possibly market it as a teaching resource. -- Becky House * drupal *
Found the chapter on ′adolescence′ especially useful. An easily accessible book for Year One undergraduates. -- Diane Loggenberg * drupal *
The book gives students and new lecturers to psychology the chance to test themselves! This is good for revision. -- Dr Bridget Ng'andu * drupal *
Due to the nature of the module, this book would not be suitable as a main text but is very useful as background reading and has been placed on the supplementary reading list. -- Dr Calum Neill * drupal *
Will probably add this text to recommended reading in the future (for my level 4 undergraduate developmental psychology modules) but I am currently on maternity leave so am unable to recommend any new texts at this time. -- Dr Claire Barlow * drupal *
This is a well written text that is accessible for undergraduates. I particularly liked the range of set activities that work well to get students thinking. As an introductory text slightly more topic coverage would be useful but the book would work really well as a companion reading to a main, perhaps more expansive, core text. -- Dr Dawn Mannay * drupal *
Excellent book - nice price too for the students to buy. -- Dr Emily Coyne * drupal *
I think the book is generally useful as supplementary reading, as it is less in depth than the texts which are recommended as essential reading. The ‘Test Yourself’ book was also useful. -- Dr Emma Turley * drupal *
Not enough depth to explanations of theory and research. This would not make a satisfactory replacement for the textbooks we currently recommend. -- Dr Fiona MacCallum * drupal *
Very good book. Clearly written and laid out. I would have liked it to include more on adult development though. -- Dr Fiona McSweeney * drupal *
A solid introductory text. I really like the critical thinking element but would like to see more graphics interwoven in text. -- Dr Fiona Nutty * drupal *
I would recommend that students purchase a copy of this book because it provides them with clear information on the expectations of typical children′s development and how to link this to theory. -- Dr Gina Sherwood * drupal *
I really liked the succinctness of the book and the parts relating to my own area of Social Psychology (social development) are very good. However, it is not in my own area so I cannot formally add as recommended reading - but I will recommend it to students wanting further work on social development of the child. -- Dr Jacqui Taylor * drupal *
Generally the book is a comprehensive introduction to issues and topics in developmental psychology. -- Dr Jacquie Don * drupal *
Like: Learning outcomes; themes and theories especially tables; encouraging critical thinking. Like: Clear structure of the book, guided by sub-headings. Dislike: Nothing on development of attention and executive factors. Also dislike implication that later language development is only literacy. -- Dr Juliet Goldbart * drupal *
I found that the level of this book would be better for lower levels than year 3 of an undergraduate. -- Dr Karen Goodall * drupal *
The book is a very nice and user-friendly overview of developmental psychology, but I find it overly topical. Perhaps suitable for 1st year students; by the second and third year, I expect text books to be much more literate (i.e. based more on empirical evidence). -- Dr Larry Taylor * drupal *
I liked the book; attractive to pick up with engaging illustrations but not detailed enough for my level 2 development programme. Also thought it was rather expensive compared to existing longertexts. Might be best for students at start of L1 with no previous experience. -- Dr Mark Blades * drupal *
Liked the learning outcomes at the beginning of chapters. Also the glossary and the up to date reference list. Disliked the lack of illustrations and diagrams. -- Dr Martin Campbell * drupal *
I teach Psychology of Personal Development and Personal Development and Skills, so I was hoping that this book can be a valuable addition to my reading list. However, this does not seem to be the case. My focus is on adult development, and although I commend the book for its case studies and accessability, the relatively short chapter on Adulthood doesn′t go beyond Piaget and Levinson and therefore doesn′t add much to what we already have in the existing literature. We really need a good, comprehensive and up to date book on adult development! -- Dr Nash Popovic * drupal *
I like the fact that:
a) it is accessible and easy to read
b) it focusses on development through the lifespan rather than just childhood
c) it includes activities such as reading research papers to encourage students to explore empirical work
My only negative really is that it is quite a ′light touch′ text and doesn′t go into ideas in much depth. However, this is due to the introductory nature of the text hence I think it serves its purpose well. It would mainly be suitable for first year students due to this -- Dr Rachel Maunder * drupal *
Good activities and summaries. Too specialised for my students who don′t really need medical examples. -- Dr Richard De Visser * drupal *
Although I do not teach developmental psychology, I thought this was a very helpful book. I particularly liked the ′critical thinking′ activities/reviews and I would consider recommending this book to personal tutees who need further support with their studies in this sub-discipline of psychology -- Dr Robert Irwin * drupal *
Actually undecided as yet - but do like the layout and format of the book which I think students would find useful. -- Dr Ron Roberts * drupal *
This book was sent to me, but I am not involved at the moment with this area. -- Dr Sanjay Joban * drupal *
It is a nice book that is good for ‘dipping into’ and I would recommend it as a general reference to the area of developmental psychology -- George Sandamas * drupal *
This seems like a useful little book as a starting point, but it doesn′t cover some of the key topics in developmental psychology (e.g., attachment theory) in enough detail for my course. -- Kathryn Gardner * drupal *
A good introductory text, clearly written. -- Martin Bowles * drupal *
An excellent text, extremely insightful, well presented and a good text for health and social care students. -- Miss Amy Yorke * drupal *
A very useful book for reference and for learning the basics of the theories.
-- Miss Frances Jackson * drupal *
This book has been extremely useful in teaching the Developmental Perspectives unit to L4 therapeutic counselling students. Lots of references to use theories and fully explains in great detail.
I would definitely recommend this book, both for therapists and teachers. -- Miss Lydia Thide * drupal *
A simple to follow book, ideal for introducing students to developmental psychology. I shall recommend this book. -- Miss Marie Robbins * drupal *
Excellnt text
Up to date information
excellent critical thinking
Guidance for both lecturer and student. -- Miss Sharron Stillyards * drupal *
An excellent book which focuses on development across the lifespan.

Throughout this book there are possible assignment topics, questions and case studies. These allow students to engage more with the topic, therefore supporting differing learning styles.

-- Mrs Charlotte Reynolds * drupal *
Comprehensive overview of lifespan issues. -- Mrs Ellen Mulholland * drupal *
Includes some excellent critical thinking exercises -- Mrs Emma Barton * drupal *
This Book provides comprehenmsive information and valuable teaching suggestions. It is good as it provides links to further reading so is a good introductory text to reseraching information -- Mrs Juliet Reid * drupal *
I found this textbook very helpful for undergraduate students who are studying Developmental Psychology. First, the text is very concise, easy to read and study, especially for international students. Second, the book gives a more European perspective on the issues about development. Finally, this text has good summaries, tables and charts that help undergraduate students learn better. However, I would prefer a bit more interactive text with more pictures, online activities and other additional material for the students to use as a textbook. Also it seemed that more attention could have been given to early, middle, and late adult development. -- Mrs Jurgita Babarskiene * drupal *
Helpful and easy to read as the book is laid out methodically going through life stages. Good material for assessments and transitions work.

Perhaps it would have been helpful to include details about how development for people with learning difficulties can be different. Eg. when developing (or not) peer relationships. -- Mrs Sue Williams * drupal *
The book′s structure is very clear in terms of learning outcomes, summaries, further reading and skills building and will make a good companion book to the more in-depth Developmental Psychology book they currently use. -- Ms Deborah Odell * drupal *
Students work through the book by themselves - this gives space for lectures and seminars to address a number of topics at postgraduate level. It is a useful resource which provides facts in a well integrated way. In my experience it has been a good basis to develop furhter insight from. The tasks and case studies let students engage with the content rather than trying to learn things by heart. -- Ms Lieslotte Van Leeuwen * drupal *
Thank you for my copy of Developmental Psychology. I thought this was an excellent critical introduction to the topic. -- Ms Rachel Robbins * drupal *
This is a book that provides an up-to-date coverage of all the main topics with a Developmental sychology module in a format that fits well with our teaching programme. -- Professor Edward Melhuish * drupal *
Helps understanding of why managers/ leaders act in a certain manner. Useful book for referencing purposes. -- Surinder Walia * drupal *