ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to assist the reader in obtaining an understanding of the material that is generally associated with textbooks focusing on developmental psychology. Summarized concisely is an overview which conveys the main points of issues viewed as life span development within the contextual framework of the counseling profession. We have tried in this chapter to maximize information and directness rather than produce elegant prose. A brief glance at the topics will indicate that the focus is that of a social developmentalist; primary theoretical underpinnings of human development are featured as well as the outcomes of social and personality development and its implications for later development. A limited emphasis is provided on the physical development of individuals.
