Comments on the potential importance for developmental theory of recent advances in the thermodynamics of "self-organizing" systems by Ilya Prigogine and the Brussels School. Implications of the concepts of classical and modern thermodynamics of structural development for an understanding of psychological evolution and development are…

Reviews research which demonstrates that responses from different behavior systems to a given stimulus situation may be far from perfectly correlated with each other. Discusses the phylogenetic and ontogenetic development of these systems and the roles of both the species and the individual in bringing the systems into mutual correspondence.…

An examination of the concept of external validity from two theoretical perspectives: a traditional mechanistic approach and a dialectical organismic approach. Examines the theoretical and methodological implications of these perspectives. (BD)

Discusses the use of the concept of epigenesis as a biological model in developmental psychology and examines the role of the environment in an epigenetic theory. (BD)

Attempts to expand White's model of effectance motivation through a consideration of developmental implications. Considers such issues as developmental stages, environmental influences, success and failure effects, and perceived competence and control among others. (BD)

A discussion of the dynamic interaction of nature and nurture variables in the development of an organism. A dialectical approach is used to integrate the possible interactions between these variables. (BD)

Examines current conceptualizations of the mechanisms used to explain cognitive and social development and possible common mechanisms linking the two areas. Considers these mechanisms for both a mechanisric and the two areas. Considers these mechanisms from both a mechanistic and an organismic perspective. Presents a developmental model which…

The five papers included in this article comprise the proceedings of a Gerontological Society symposium entitled "The life cycle, aging, and death: interdisciplinary perspectives." Each contributor considers this topic in the context of dialectical intersections from his own theoretical framework. (BD)