Evolutionary developmental psychology

Xiaoya Zhang

Chapter 6 in Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology, 2026, pp 97-111 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines how evolutionary developmental psychology (EDP) offers a powerful framework for understanding human development as an adaptive process shaped by evolutionary pressures. EDP integrates insights from evolutionary biology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and genetics to explain why children develop and how these trajectories align with survival and reproductive goals. After tracing EDP's historical roots, from Darwin's early observations through the Modern Synthesis and the rise of evolutionary psychology, I outline core concepts such as deferred versus ontogenetic adaptations, conditional adaptations, and phenotypic plasticity. I then highlight some recent advances and contributions of EDP in promoting the basic-science understanding of developmental processes. Finally, I discuss practical implications, emphasizing precision-based, strength-based, and context-sensitive interventions that account for individual differences and cultural contexts. Together, these advances illustrate EDP's potential to inform research, policy, and practice aimed at supporting diverse child developmental trajectories.

Keywords: Ontogenetic Vs Deferred Adaptations; Conditional Adaptations; Epigenetics; Individual Differences; Phenotypic Plasticity; Practical Implications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035332496
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