Gilbert Gottlieb: Experimental Behavioral Embryologist

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Moore, Celia L.

Affiliations: University of Massachusetts Boston

Note: [] Address for correspondence: Celia L. Moore, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA; Email: [email protected]

Abstract: Gilbert Gottlieb's formative role in establishing a science of experimental behavioral embryology is described. His experimental program on the development of species identification served as a model for developmental psychobiologists seeking alternatives to the nature-nurture dichotomies prevalent in the 20th century. Two of the major concepts included in his theory of probabilistic epigenesis, the bidirectional nature of structure-function relationships and the developmental manifold, had profound effects on developmental science during the second half of the 20th century. The recent rise of developmental systems theory as an integrated view of development, heredity, and evolution owes much to Gottlieb's sustained experimental and theoretical work in this broad domain.

Keywords: developmental manifold, developmental systems theory, bidirectional structure-function relationships, probabilistic epigenesis, species-typical behavior

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1207

Journal: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 145-154, 2007