International Journal of Developmental Science - Volume 1, issue 3

Authors: Scheithauer, Herbert | Ittel, Angela

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1301

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 209-211, 2007

Authors: Gottlieb, Gilbert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: To test the hypothesis that social rearing may induce malleability, socially reared and socially isolated mallard duck, Anas platyrhynchos, embryos and hatchlings were exposed to the maternal call of a chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus, until 48 h after hatching. The hatchlings were then tested with the chicken call versus the mallard maternal call at 48 and 65 h. Social rearing before and after hatching led to the development of a persistent preference for the maternal call of the chicken. Social isolates did not develop a preference for the chicken call. The preference for the chicken call in the socially reared …birds required both prenatal and postnatal exposure; socially reared birds exposed to the chicken call only before or only after hatching did not develop a preference for it. Social rearing overrode the usual canalizing influence of exposure to the embryo's contact call. Socially reared birds spend most of their time asleep, so there may be a reduction in contact calling and/or less exposure to visual stimulation (less intersensory competition). Malleability is the requisite first step in the behavioural pathway to evolution. Show more

Keywords: sociogenesis, social rearing, animal behavior, social isolation, plasticity

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1302

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 212-226, 2007

Authors: Wagman, Jeffrey B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Gottlieb's (1991/2007) study on social malleability of ducking response to maternal calls is perhaps a paradigmatic example of research within the transactional approach to behavioral development—an approach which has fundamental links with the ecological approach to perception-action (Gibson, 1979). This commentary fleshes out these links especially as they relate to the social nature of the organism-environment system and social influences on perception-action and development.

Keywords: transactionalism, ecological psychology, perception-action, organism-environment system, social influences

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1303

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 227-230, 2007

Authors: Moore, Celia L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Gilbert Gottlieb's 1991/2007 paper provides a fine example of his creative, experimental approach to behavioral embryology. As this paper shows, he gave the field insight into the role of development in evolution, backed with strong empirical evidence.

Keywords: behavioral embryology, neophenogenesis, developmental systems

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1304

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 231-233, 2007

Authors: Schneider, Susan M. | Harshaw, Christopher

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Gottlieb's (1991/2007) target article represents a milestone in our understanding of the impact of social experience on developmental malleability. Interactions across the species-typical and operant behavior categories are increasingly understood to exist. The social contingencies present in the normal species-typical developmental manifold are likely powerful contributors to malleability, development, and evolution.

Keywords: malleability, developmental systems theory, operant learning, contingency, northern bobwhite

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1305

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 234-238, 2007

Authors: Owings, Donald H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Gilbert Gottlieb's data and epigenetic approach support the conclusion that organisms are functionally-whole agents at each phase of development rather than simply incompletely developed adults prior to sexual maturity and deteriorated adults in old age. This implies that organisms construct distinct ontogenetic niches at each phase of development, and so behave differently because they are differently adapted and not simply progressing toward or declining from their “prime.” This concept of ontogenetic adaptation has stimulated a number of insights about how the behavior of juveniles is appropriate for their phase-specific circumstances. But it also raises the challenge of discovering how organisms …navigate through the disregulation of transitions between developmental phases. The idea also has important implications for the role of developmental systems in evolution. Distinct, equally-adapted phenotypes associated with different phases of ontogeny are potential alternative adult phe-notypes. The phenomenon of neoteny, for example, illustrates this point. Show more

Keywords: ontogenetic adaptation, evolution, ontogeny, heterochrony, neoteny

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1306

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 239-242, 2007

Authors: Hansen, Bo Terning

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The significance of sociality for the development of species recognition surprised even Gottlieb. There is a growing interest in the role of developmental plasticity in evolution among biologists. Although still understudied, Gottlieb's view on the importance of novel behavior in evolution has recently gathered empirical support.

Keywords: imprinting, phenotypic plasticity, evolution, species recognition

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1307

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 243-246, 2007

Authors: Dieter, John N.I.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Discussed are the ontogenetic and evolutionary implications of Dr. Gottlieb's perinatal research with ducklings. His evolutionary theory which proposes that behavior is the primary engine driving evolution is reviewed as is his experimental examination of behavioral neophenotypes. The methodology and findings from Gottlieb (1991/2007) are described in the context of his evolutionary perspective. The value of Dr. Gottlieb's notions on perinatal malleability is discussed in light of recent findings from human fetal and newborn research.

Keywords: evolution, ontogeny, malleability, perinatal, behavioral neophenotypes

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1308

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 247-252, 2007

Authors: Farran, Emily K. | Brown, Janice H. | Cole, Victoria L. | Houston-Price, Carmel | Karmiloff-Smith, Annette

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Perceptual grouping by luminance similarity and by proximity was investigated in infants with Williams syndrome (WS) aged between 6 and 36 months (visit 1, N=29). WS infants who were still under 36 months old, 8 months later, repeated the testing procedure (visit 2, N=15). Performance was compared to typically developing (TD) infants aged from 2 to 20 months (N=63). Consistent with the literature, TD participants showed grouping by luminance at the youngest testing age, 2 months. Grouping by proximity had not previous been charted in typical development: this study showed grouping by proximity at 8 months. Infants with WS could …group by luminance. Developmental progression of the WS group showed some similarities to typical development, although further investigation is required to further address this in more depth. In contrast, infants with WS were not able to group by proximity. This pattern of emergence and development of grouping abilities is considered in relation to the pattern of grouping abilities observed in adults with WS. Show more

Keywords: infancy, perceptual grouping, longitudinal, perception

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1309

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 253-271, 2007

Authors: Zimmerman, Stacy M. | Phelps, Erin | Lerner, Richard M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Using data from Grades 5, 6, and 7 of the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development (PYD), the role of intentional self-regulation in the positive development of young adolescents was examined through use of the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) measure. Consistent with Gestsdóttir and Lerner (2007), results of confirmatory factor analyses of SOC scores suggested the use of a global, nine-item index. Results of hierarchical linear modeling indicated that statistically significant but substantively minor changes in SOC scores existed across the three grades; these findings support the use of the Grade 5 SOC scores as predictors of subsequent development. …Accordingly, Grade 5 SOC scores positively predicted Grade 7 scores on the Five Cs of PYD (i.e., competence, confidence, character, connection, and caring) and negatively predicted Grade 7 depression, delinquency, and risk behaviors. No gender effects were found in regard to changes in SOC scores. Implications for future research and for the developmental course of intentional self-regulation in adolescence are discussed. Show more

Keywords: selection, optimization, compensation, positive youth development, developmental regulation

DOI: 10.3233/DEV-2007-1310

Citation: International Journal of Developmental Science, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 272-299, 2007