Psychology of lifelong development

Lifespan developmental psychology established itself as an independent field in the second half of the 20th century. Unlike traditional developmental psychology, which focuses primarily on development in childhood and adolescence, it deals with human development and changes throughout the entire life cycle. It is a multidisciplinary discipline because it studies not only the psychological factors of human development, but also the social, cultural and historical context. The monograph is divided into three parts. The first part covers the main theories of lifespan development with an emphasis on modern approaches. The second part provides a description of developmental stages based on contemporary empirical research. The third and final part presents key themes of human life: successful development, happiness and a sense of purpose in life.