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A Unified Theory of Development: A Dialectic Integration of Nature and Nurture
Author(s) -
Sameroff Arnold
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01378.x
Subject(s) - nature versus nurture , dialectic , perspective (graphical) , psychology , context (archaeology) , epistemology , developmental science , developmental stage theories , cognitive science , developmental psychology , sociology , biology , paleontology , philosophy , artificial intelligence , anthropology , computer science
The understanding of nature and nurture within developmental science has evolved with alternating ascendance of one or the other as primary explanations for individual differences in life course trajectories of success or failure. A dialectical perspective emphasizing the interconnectedness of individual and context is suggested to interpret the evolution of developmental science in similar terms to those necessary to explain the development of individual children. A unified theory of development is proposed to integrate personal change, context, regulation, and representational models of development.