We all age. It's inevitable, a fundamental part of life. But will we understand the intricacies of our adult development? The cognitive processes, the roles of race and gender, our family ties, the transitions we'll undergo, and challenges we'll face? This book will introduce these themes, and many others, in its thorough coverage of the field of adult development. Featuring substantive, scholarly coverage of the field of adult development, this book bridges theory and research with applications. Readers are exposed to the social, biological, and cognitive effects of aging, as well as influences on adult development by gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and culture. Psychologists. sociologists, gerentologists, nurses and health care professionals, and professors.