TY - JOUR
T1 - Moving toward a grand theory of development
T2 - In memory of esther thelen
AU - Spencer, John P.
AU - Corbetta, Daniela
AU - Buchanan, Patricia
AU - Clearfield, Melissa
AU - Ulrich, Beverly
AU - Schöner, Gregor
PY - 2006/11
Y1 - 2006/11
N2 - This paper is in memory of Esther Thelen, who passed away while President of the Society for Research in Child Development. A survey of Esther Thelen's career reveals a trajectory from early work on simple movements like stepping, to the study of goal-directed reaching, to work on the embodiment of cognition, and, ultimately, to a grand theory of development-dynamic systems theory. Four central concepts emerged during her career: (1) a new emphasis on time; (2) the proposal that behavior is softly assembled from the interaction of multiple subsystems; (3) the embodiment of perception, action, and cognition; and (4) a new respect for individuality. Esther Thelen communicated these ideas to scientists and practitioners alike, so the ultimate benefactors of her work were children.
AB - This paper is in memory of Esther Thelen, who passed away while President of the Society for Research in Child Development. A survey of Esther Thelen's career reveals a trajectory from early work on simple movements like stepping, to the study of goal-directed reaching, to work on the embodiment of cognition, and, ultimately, to a grand theory of development-dynamic systems theory. Four central concepts emerged during her career: (1) a new emphasis on time; (2) the proposal that behavior is softly assembled from the interaction of multiple subsystems; (3) the embodiment of perception, action, and cognition; and (4) a new respect for individuality. Esther Thelen communicated these ideas to scientists and practitioners alike, so the ultimate benefactors of her work were children.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33750927881&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00955.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00955.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 17107442
AN - SCOPUS:33750927881
SN - 0009-3920
VL - 77
SP - 1521
EP - 1538
JO - Child Development
JF - Child Development
IS - 6
ER -