From Darwin to Dna

This chapter covers some theoretical frameworks for child development that place a heavy emphasis upon biology, which has been described as psychology’s latest paradigm. The degree of Charles Darwin’s influence on developmental psychology is addressed first, followed by discussion of more recent applications of evolutionary theory, including ethology, sociobiology and evolutionary developmental psychology. Behaviour genetics and neurological perspectives on development are outlined, as is how the nature–nurture debate has been revolutionized in the light of recent research in genomics (the study of the complete set of DNA), which includes epigenetics. The chapter ends by addressing the medicalization of children’s behavioural and emotional problems.