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Cited by 106Philosophy and History of ScienceEvolution and Genetic DynamicsAnimal Behavior and Reproduction

Developmental Systems Theory

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Griffiths, Paul E, Hochman, Adam·2015·Encyclopedia of Life Sciences
DOI 10.1002/9780470015902.a0003452.pub2
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Abstract

Developmental systems theory (DST) is a wholeheartedly epigenetic approach to development, inheritance and evolution. The developmental system of an organism is the entire matrix of resources that are needed to reproduce the life cycle. The range of developmental resources that are properly described as being inherited, and which are subject to natural selection, is far wider than has traditionally been allowed. Evolution acts on this extended set of developmental resources. From a developmental systems perspective, development does not proceed according to a preformed plan; what is inherited is much more than DNA; and evolution is change not only in gene frequencies, but in entire developmental systems. Key Concepts: Development has no single locus of control Developmental outcomes are influenced by the contexts in which development unfolds The developmental system of an organism is the matrix of resources that are required to reproduce the life cycle The genome is designed to function in a specific developmental niche which is itself the product of evolution The impact of any given cause is contingent upon the state of the system as a whole The roles played by causal factors in development do not fall neatly into two kinds, one exclusively played by genes, the other played by nongenetic causes Development is a dynamic process: the products of early stages of development can become the interactants of later stages The notion of the ‘genetic program’ is of little heuristic value The study of heredity will benefit from a broad approach that includes features of the developmental niche which are often overlooked Evolution is change in developmental systems as a whole, and not only change in gene frequencies

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  • DST goes beyond conventional interactionism between genes and environment, producing a truly epigenetic view of development as an ongoing, constructive enterprise between the individual and multiple biological, psychological, and sociocultural systems and agents over time.

    “It goes beyond”

    From Malleability, plasticity, and individuality: How children learn and develop in context<sup>1</sup> (2019) · cites this paper as Griffiths & Hochman, 2015

    The Epigenesis section says DST goes beyond conventional gene–environment interactionism toward an epigenetic view in which development is constructed through organism–environment interaction. The dynamic-interaction passage also describes development as building on earlier stages, and Extended Inheritance mentions ecological and social legacies. Our copy does not explicitly characterize this as an enterprise among multiple biological, psychological, and sociocultural systems and agents. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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  • In a contextual and relational developmental systems framework, the life cycle of an organism is not prefigured in a genetic program.

    “In this contextual and relational developmental systems framework, the life cycle of an organism is not prefigured in a genetic program (Griffiths & Hochman, 2015;Moore, 2015;Witherington & Lickliter, 2016).”

    From Malleability, plasticity, and individuality: How children learn and develop in context<sup>1</sup> (2019) · cites this paper as Griffiths & Hochman, 2015

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Authors
Griffiths, P. E., & Hochman, A.
Affiliations
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
  • Macquarie University (AU)
ORCID
Venue
Encyclopedia of Life Sciences
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2015-10-15
Pages
1-7
DOI
10.1002/9780470015902.a0003452.pub2
OpenAlex
W1953036869
Cited by
106
References
96
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
Type
reference entry
Language
en
Open access
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm)
Locations
  • Encyclopedia of Life Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PhilPapers (PhilPapers Foundation) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › History and Philosophy of Science › Philosophy and History of Science
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Keywords
developmental systems theory, epigenetic inheritance, developmental niche, natural selection, gene-environment interaction, genetic program, heredity (biology)

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