An Evolutionary Perspective on Developmental Plasticity

Abstract

In this essay, we advance the argument that variations in developmental plasticity should be treated as an individual‐difference construct in research on environmental influences on human development. As guided by the diathesis‐stress framework, past research has focused mainly on the development of dysfunction and negative outcomes in “vulnerable” individuals and the absence of such effects in “resilient” ones in response to adverse developmental experiences and environmental exposures. An evolutionary perspective challenges this traditional and prevailing framework for understanding person‐X‐environment interaction, leading to the view that there are individual differences in developmental plasticity, with those individuals most susceptible to the negative effects of adverse experiences also most likely to benefit from positive ones. Evidence consistent with this view is summarized and directions for future research are outlined.