Editorial: Experiments of nature: Contributions to developmental theory

Abstract

One of the distinguishing principles that has guided research conducted within a developmental psychopathology perspective is that knowledge of normal development is necessary to comprehend psychopathology and that, conversely, the examination of maladaptive and psychopathological development can elucidate the normal functioning of individuals (Cicchetti, 1984, 1990a, 1990b, 1993; Rutter, 1986; Sroufe, 1990; Werner, 1948). Because all pathology can be conceived as a disturbance, distortion, or degeneration of normal functioning, in order to understand psychopathology it is essential that the normal functioning with which psychopathology is compared be fully grasped (Cicchetti, 1984, 1990a; Kaplan, 1967; Rutter & Garmezy, 1983). Likewise, understanding how mental disorders evolve and how aberrations in the organization of component developmental systems that exist among disturbed individuals eventuate may be informative for elucidating critical components of normal development.