Chapter 1 - An Invitation to Lifespan Thinking

Abstract

This first chapter of the book, Work Across the Lifespan, introduces readers to the lifespan developmental perspective, which constitutes the guiding theoretical framework of subsequent chapters in the book. We first describe the background and overarching goals of this book. Second, we trace the history of the lifespan developmental perspective from its roots in the late 18th century over its formalization and broader reception in the second half of the 20th century to contemporary discourse. Third, we outline the core tenets of the lifespan developmental perspective. We conclude this introductory chapter by giving an overview of the three main sections (i.e., lifespan perspectives, lifespan perspectives on working and careers, and applications of lifespan perspectives) as well as the following chapters of the book.