Exceptional in its currency, global in its cultural reach, Kathleen Berger's portrait of the scientific investigation of childhood and adolescent development helps bring an evolving field into the evolving classroom. Guided by Berger's clear, inviting authorial voice, and page after page of fascinating examples from cultures around the world, students see how classic and current research, and the lives of real people, shape the field's core theories and concepts. In addition to Kathleen Berger's exhaustive updating of the research, this edition is notable for its thorough integration of assessment throughout (learning objectives, assessments after each section, expanded end-of-chapter quizzes) all aligned with national standards.