Overview
Celebrating 50 years since its initial publication, Concepts and Theories of Human Development provides the most comprehensive overview of the foundational theoretical contributions to understanding human development, and the influence of these contributions on contemporary research and their application in developmental science. The book discusses the assumptions involved in such topics as the nature-nurture issue, the issue of continuity-discontinuity, dynamic, relational developmental systems (RDS)-based concepts and models, and the important role of philosophical ideas about theories—in particular, metatheories—in understanding the links between theory and research. Key features of this edition include: Two brand new chapters: “Developmental Methodology,” which explores the useful and problematic approaches to describing, explaining, and optimizing individual development across time and place offering insights into common pitfalls and how to avoid them “Applying Developmental Science,” which focuses on applying dynamic, RDS-based concepts to advance social justice, foster moral and character development, and strengthen democracy A new exploration of what it means to be human, a theme that is woven throughout the entire text Discussions on recent methodological innovations in developmental science, providing tools to better understand the unique, person-specific features of human life An essential resource for students and professionals alike, this book has become the go-to guide for graduate students studying for their comprehensive exams on human development. The book is supported by a website featuring videos from the author and scholars in the field of human development, available at routledgelearning.com/conceptshumandev.
Full Product Details
Author: Richard M. Lerner (Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint: Routledge
Edition: 5th edition
Weight: 1.300kg
ISBN: 9781032993232
ISBN 10: 1032993235
Pages: 597
Publication Date: 30 March 2026
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Manufactured on demand
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.
Reviews
Richard Lerner's Concepts and Theories of Human Development has long been the go-to source for the foundational insights of development science. The 5th edition covers exciting new frontiers in the study of human flourishing, genetics, and other timely topics. A must-read for scholars and students in this essential field! William Damon, Stanford University, US. Timely and celebratory, the 50th anniversary edition challenges global assaults on the humanity of diverse youth and communities. Its progressive use of dynamic RDS perspective and critical insights--re: application-supporting youth thriving--provides a ""must read,"" and affords strategic analyses of concepts and theories required as scaffolding for authentic supports. Margaret Beale Spencer, The University of Chicago, US Concepts and Theories of Human Development is the go-to guidebook for all students of developmental science. Each time I pick it up, I am inspired by Lerner's masterful spotlighting of the ongoing dance between method, theory, and intervention practice that drives the field forward and deepens our understanding of the human experience. Nilàm Ram, Stanford University, US In this Fifth Edition of his ""Concepts and Theories of Human Development"" Richard M. Lerner again offers a very clear and totally up-to-date picture of the fundamental tenets of Developmental Science; including its metatheoretical, theoretical, methodological, empirical, and applied dimensions. This work entails an enormously important contribution in that it presents our best and most contemporary understanding of the nature of human developmental processes, as well as our understanding of best practices for investigating these processes. Lerner is, and has been, perfectly positioned to describe these concepts and theories as his work has been at the leading edge of our understanding of human development for over 50 years. This is a must-read book for anyone interested in developmental processes. It will be of particular value to psychologists, philosophers, biologists, sociologists, economists, and the medical and educational communities. Willis F. Overton, Temple University, USA
Richard Lerner’s Concepts and Theories of Human Development has long been the go-to source for the foundational insights of development science. The 5th edition covers exciting new frontiers in the study of human flourishing, genetics, and other timely topics. A must-read for scholars and students in this essential field! William Damon, Stanford University, US. Timely and celebratory, the 50th anniversary edition challenges global assaults on the humanity of diverse youth and communities. Its progressive use of dynamic RDS perspective and critical insights—re: application-supporting youth thriving—provides a “must read,” and affords strategic analyses of concepts and theories required as scaffolding for authentic supports. Margaret Beale Spencer, The University of Chicago, US Concepts and Theories of Human Development is the go-to guidebook for all students of developmental science. Each time I pick it up, I am inspired by Lerner’s masterful spotlighting of the ongoing dance between method, theory, and intervention practice that drives the field forward and deepens our understanding of the human experience. Nilàm Ram, Stanford University, US In this Fifth Edition of his “Concepts and Theories of Human Development” Richard M. Lerner again offers a very clear and totally up-to-date picture of the fundamental tenets of Developmental Science; including its metatheoretical, theoretical, methodological, empirical, and applied dimensions. This work entails an enormously important contribution in that it presents our best and most contemporary understanding of the nature of human developmental processes, as well as our understanding of best practices for investigating these processes. Lerner is, and has been, perfectly positioned to describe these concepts and theories as his work has been at the leading edge of our understanding of human development for over 50 years. This is a must-read book for anyone interested in developmental processes. It will be of particular value to psychologists, philosophers, biologists, sociologists, economists, and the medical and educational communities. Willis F. Overton, Temple University, USA
Author Information
Richard M. Lerner is the Bergstrom Chair in Applied Developmental Science and the Director of the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development, in the Eliot Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, at Tufts University.
