This third edition of Eric Rayner's classic text on the crucial phases of human development has been completely updated to take into account recent research findings. The text also reflects developments in society and fuller consideration is now given to sexual partnering, divorce and single parent families. Human Development describes and theorises about life situations from before birth to death. The book is an invitation to self-exploration as well as being a source of information. Theoretical discussion is illustrated by case descriptions to enable the reader to understand important and widely used psychoanalytic and psychological concepts. No 'set answers' are provided; instead the book is an invitation to argument. An invaluable introductory text, Human Development also provides detailed notes and references to guide the reader to further study.