Evolutionary Developmental Psychology - Some Basic Assumptions of EDP

Some Basic Assumptions of EDP

  1. All evolutionarily-influenced characteristics develop, and this requires examining not only the functioning of these characteristics in adults but also their ontogeny.
  2. All evolved characteristics develop via continuous and bidirectional gene-environment interactions that emerge dynamically over time.
  3. Development is constrained by genetic, environmental, and cultural factors.
  4. An extended childhood is needed in which to learn the complexities of human social communities and economies.
  5. Many aspects of childhood serve as preparations for adulthood and were selected over the course of evolution (deferred adaptations).
  6. Some characteristics of infants and children were selected to serve an adaptive function at specific times in development and not as preparations for adulthood (ontogenetic adaptations).
  7. Children show a high degree of plasticity, or flexibility, and the ability to adapt to different contexts.

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