A Little History and Some Definitions

Abstract Developmental psychobiology (DPB) is defined neither by its research topics nor by its use of biological techniques and theoretical constructs to investigate psychological phenomena. DPB examines the interwoven influences of physiological, biomechanical, and environmental (particularly experiential) processes in establishing the trajectories of behavioral/psychological development, particularly species-typical development. This chapter shows how DPB differs from other developmental disciplines such as developmental evolutionary psychology, developmental neuropsychology, developmental behavioral neuroscience, developmental systems theory, and developmental biopsychiatry. The factors that distinguish DPB from these other disciplines clarify why the label “developmental psychobiology” emphasizes the distinguishing features of the discipline and its value for the progress of developmental science.