Developmental science

This article is about the academic field. For the peer-reviewed journal, see Developmental Science.

Developmental science is an interdisciplinary scientific field that synthesizes perspectives from biology, psychology, and sociology in order to understand behavioral and psychological aspects of human development.[1] The field of developmental science "...is not limited to simply describing deviant behavior at a specific age, but rather examines the dynamic interplay of biopsychosocial risk and protective conditions in the course of development over an individual’s lifespan."[2] It is based on theories previously developed by such psychologists as Jean Piaget, Heinz Werner, and Lev Vygotsky, as well as on dynamic systems theory.[3] In recent years, the field has undergone a paradigm shift away from reductionism to one based on complex, interacting systems, with an increasing emphasis on change over time.[4]

  1. ^ Bronfenbrenner, Urie; Evans, Gary W. (January 2000). "Developmental Science in the 21st Century: Emerging Questions, Theoretical Models, Research Designs and Empirical Findings". Social Development. 9 (1): 115–125. doi:10.1111/1467-9507.00114. ISSN 0961-205X.
  2. ^ "Developmental Science and Applied Developmental Psychology". Free University of Berlin. 2006-03-06. Retrieved 2018-08-03.
  3. ^ van Geert, Paul (April 1998). "We almost had a great future behind us: The contribution of non-linear dynamics to developmental-science-in-the-making". Developmental Science. 1 (1): 143–159. doi:10.1111/1467-7687.00020. ISSN 1363-755X.
  4. ^ Aldwin, Carolyn M. (2014-10-02). "Rethinking Developmental Science". Research in Human Development. 11 (4): 247–254. doi:10.1080/15427609.2014.967045. ISSN 1542-7609. PMC 4295790. PMID 25598750.