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Relational developmental systems: a paradigm for developmental science in the postgenomic era
Willis F Overton1, Richard M Lerner
1Department of Psychology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6085, USA. Overton@temple.edu
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|October 26, 2012
Summary
Behavioral genetics faces widespread anomalies, challenging its foundational assumptions. An alternative framework, relational developmental systems, offers a more comprehensive view, particularly within developmental science.
Area of Science:
- Developmental science
- Behavioral genetics
- Philosophy of science
Background:
- The population behavior genetics paradigm has faced critiques regarding anomalies.
- Existing critiques may underestimate the extent of these anomalies, particularly within developmental science.
- Thomas Kuhn's criteria for scientific paradigms are used to evaluate the field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To argue that anomalies in population behavior genetics are more pervasive than previously suggested.
- To identify and present an alternative scientific paradigm that addresses these anomalies.
- To position the relational developmental systems paradigm as the formative context for postgenomic views.
Main Methods:
- Commentary and critical analysis of existing literature.
- Application of Kuhn's philosophy of science to paradigm evaluation.
- Comparative analysis of population behavior genetics and relational developmental systems.
Main Results:
- Identifies a broader range of anomalies within the population behavior genetics paradigm.
- Asserts the availability of a viable alternative paradigm based on Kuhnian criteria.
- Highlights the relational developmental systems paradigm as a suitable framework.
Conclusions:
- The population behavior genetics paradigm exhibits significant and widespread anomalies.
- The relational developmental systems paradigm offers a robust alternative, providing a more suitable context for understanding complex developmental phenomena.
- This commentary advocates for a paradigm shift towards relational developmental systems in developmental science.
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