The influence of the lifespan approach has been an important feature of recent research in developmental psychology, as has a growing interest in the relationship between personality and development. This important new book, edited by two distinguished psychologists, explores the relationship between personality and development from a life-course perspective. The book presents current theoretical approaches and new empirical findings from ongoing studies conducted by leading researchers in North America and Europe. It is unique in focussing on successful personality development, where developmental psychology in the past seems to have focussed almost entirely on problem behaviour and risk of maladaption. The book has a multidisciplinary appeal and will be of interest to students and researchers in the fields of developmental psychology, adult development and aging, and personality and social psychology.

'The editors and authors are to be congratulated for the quality of the collection … The book is recommended for any scholar interested in personality, development, and adaptive and maladaptive lives.' International Journal of Behavioural Development
'The merits of the volume lie in the range of approaches covered, the different longitudinal studies encompassed from Europe, US and New Zealand, the strong emphasis placed on social factors but also encapsulating psychological, physiological and historical change. In an era where personality investigation has become a 'gene hunt' it is refreshing to see openly social explanations for human behaviour and development.' Psychological Medicine

Lea Pulkkinen is Academy Professor at the Academy of Finland and Professor of Psychology at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland. She has published extensively on personality and development including articles in the International Journal of Behavioral Development, the Journal of Research in Personality and the Journal of Adult Development. Avshalom Caspi is Professor of Personality and Social Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, England, and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. He is co-author of Sex Differences in Antisocial Behaviour (Cambridge, 2001).