An Interpretation of Part of Gilbert Gottlieb’s Legacy: Developmental Systems Theory Contra Developmental Behavior Genetics

Article type: Article Commentary

Authors: Molenaar, Peter C.M.^*

Affiliations: The Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Peter C.M. Molenaar, 415 BBH Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. Tel.: +814 863 8373; pxm21@psu.edu.

Abstract: The main theme of this paper concerns the persistent critique of Gilbert Gottlieb on developmental behavior genetics and my reactions to this critique, the latter changing from rejection to complete acceptation. Concise characterizations of developmental behavior genetics, developmental systems theory (to which Gottlieb made essential contributions), ergodic theory (the implications of which underlie my change of opinion), as well as their relevant theoretical relations are given.

Keywords: Developmental systems theory, ergodic theory, self-organizing epigenetics

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-14153

Journal: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 5-10, 2015