Dynamic Systems Theories
Abstract
Dynamic systems is a recent theoretical approach to the study of development. In its contemporary formulation, the theory grows directly from advances in understanding complex and nonlinear systems in physics and mathematics, but it also follows a long and rich tradition of systems thinking in biology and psychology. The term dynamic systems, in its most generic form, means simply systems of elements that change over time. The more technical use, dynamical systems, refers to a class of mathematical equations that describe time-based systems with particular properties.
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- Authors
- Thelen, E., & Smith, L. B.
- Affiliations
- Indiana University Bloomington (US)
- ORCID
- Smith, Linda B.
- Venue
- Handbook of Child Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2007-06
- OpenAlex
- W1753768835
- Cited by
- 729
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 45 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 40 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 44 · 2012: 25
- Type
- other
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computational Theory and Mathematics › Chaos, Complexity, and Education
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Complex Systems and Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Psychology of Development and Education
- Keywords
- dynamical systems theory, developmental theory, nonlinear systems, complex systems, systems thinking, dynamical systems, equations
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