Appealing to the many different backgrounds and career goals of individuals interested in child development, this book offers the most current, balanced coverage of theory and research-- with a focus on the "application" of that research-- woven into a rich chronological presentation filled with useful learning tools. Feldman's unique approach illustrates the scope and diversity of the field of child and adolescent psychology and capitalizes on readers' inherent interest in the subject by asking them to relate what they are learning to their own experience as developing humans. A lively conversational writing style exists among the many chapter topics including behavioral genetics, ethnography, brain development, cultural differences in autobiographical memories, emotional intelligence, emotional regulation and relational aggression, home schooling, teenage stress, alcohol consumption, use of Prozac and childhood depression, adolescent Web surfing, and the downside of self-esteem. For individuals with careers and an interest in the field of child development.