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Related Experiment Videos

Developmental dynamics: toward a biologically plausible evolutionary psychology.

Robert Lickliter1, Hunter Honeycutt

  • 1Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA. licklite@fiu.edu

Psychological Bulletin
|November 6, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Biological sciences now view development as epigenetic and dynamic, challenging gene-centered behavior theories. Recent genetic and developmental biology advances highlight complex regulatory systems over predetermination.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Genetics
  • Evolutionary theory
  • Psychological sciences

Background:

  • Recent decades show a conceptual shift in biological sciences towards dynamic, epigenetic views of organism development.
  • Genetics, embryology, and developmental biology evidence supports a more contingent and less deterministic model of development.
  • Conversely, psychological sciences increasingly favor gene-centered, predeterministic models for human behavior and development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advances in genetics, embryology, and developmental biology.
  • To explore how these advances challenge gene-centered explanations of human behavior.
  • To highlight the importance of regulatory dynamics in development and evolution.

Main Methods:

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  • Literature review of recent advances in genetics, embryology, and developmental biology.
  • Analysis of how these advances impact contemporary developmental and evolutionary theories.
  • Critique of gene-centered explanations in psychological sciences.

Main Results:

  • Advances in genetics and developmental biology provide a dynamic, epigenetic, and contingent view of development.
  • These findings challenge traditional gene-centered, predeterministic models of human behavior.
  • Development and evolution are shaped by complex regulatory dynamics, not solely genetic blueprints.

Conclusions:

  • Contemporary developmental and evolutionary theories are being transformed by epigenetic and dynamic perspectives.
  • Gene-centered explanations for human behavior are increasingly challenged by a systems-based understanding of development.
  • A holistic view incorporating regulatory dynamics is crucial for understanding development and evolution.