This volume covers the 22nd Annual Minnesota Symposia on Child Psychology. The theme of the conference was the use of a systematic approach to the study of development. An analysis of systems theory, its applications to the study of development, its benefits, and its drawbacks are considered. The contributors, among the leaders in this field, discuss the application of systems concepts to the analysis of core issues in areas as diverse as motor and social development.

Edited by Gunnar, Megan R.; Thelen, Esther

Contents: S. Oyama, Ontogeny and the Central Dogma: Do We Need the Concept of Genetic Programming in Order to Have Evolutionary Perspective? J.C. Fentress, Developmental Roots of Behavioral Order: Systemic Approaches to the Examination of Core Developmental Issues E. Thelen, Self-Organization in Developmental Processes: Can Systems Approaches Work? J. Belsky, M. Rovine, M. Fish, The Developing Family System G.R. Patterson, L. Bank, Some Amplifying Mechanisms for Pathologic Processes in Families F.D. Horowitz, Commentary: Processes and Systems A.J. Sameroff, Commentary: General Systems and the Regulation of Development.