The future of dynamic systems models in developmental psychology in the light of the past

A compact glance at the history and impact of mathematical models in development provides background for predicting the fate of dynamical systems modeling in developmental psychology. Dynamic models are considered and the articles by Thelen and Ulrich (1991) and van Geert (1991) are summarized. Deterministic and probabilistic models are compared and some cautions are presented along with a consideration of forms that can be attained by linear models in comparison to those well known in logistic difference models. Reactions to the research by Rabinowitz, Grant, Howe, and Walsh; Kreindler and Lumsden; and Cooney and Troyer are given, with some concluding remarks on survival of dynamical systems modeling in developmental psychology.