Takes an exploratory look at the relationships between (1) the various fears that develop during infancy, (2) perceptual-cognitive development and the exhibition of specific fears, and (3) individual differences in temperament and the manifestation of specific fears. This paper was presented at the Merrill-Palmer Institute Conference on Research…

Argues that an evolutionary perspective can unite the study of species-typical development and individual variation. Provides examples from the domains of personality, social, and intellectual development. Maintains that understanding the ways in which genes and environments work together helps developmentalists identify children who need…