What is it that determines what sort of person we become? Is a child’s future personality already determined at birth, or is a newborn baby like a blank sheet, waiting to be written on by life? Is our personality determined by anything, or do we choose for ourselves who we are, create ourselves out of nothing? This bestselling introduction to emotional, psychological, intellectual and social development throughout the lifespan will help you explore these questions and many more. Written for students training for careers in the helping professions, including nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, teachers and counsellors, the book covers topics which are central to understanding people whether they are clients, service users, patients or pupils. Following the shape of a human life, beginning with birth and ending with death, it combines theoretical concepts and reflective learning to help you develop an understanding of what makes human beings grow and change over their lives to inform your decisions and professional practice.