Dynamic systems theory (DST) research explores the process of change and development and describes behavior as the emergent product of a self-organizing, multicomponent system evolving over time. DST expands upon developmental genetics which posits that the organism develops based on the genetic information encoded in its DNA. A developmental systems approach, on the other hand, recognizes genetics and kinetics as interrelated influences to organismic development. 

Developmental systems theory originally stems from physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Today DST is popular across a multitude of fields including the biological, cognitive, neurological and social sciences, and physical and occupational therapy. I started really diving into DST about 6 years ago when I found the work of Esther Thelen (1941-2004). She was a professor of psychology at Indiana University Bloomington and a well-known researcher in the field of developmental psychology. She is known for applying DST to the study of infant motor development (now the dominant theoretical viewpoint in the field).

Thelen was widely published in the fields of psychology, child development, and motor neuroscience. Her research output included three books and over 120 scientific articles and chapters! Near the end of her life, she also became a Feldenkrais practitioner- astounded that the somatic method was applying the principles of infant learning that she was elucidating. See the article list below to get started with her work.

principles of dynamic systems theory

The principles of DST are explored in the video.  They include:

Complexity
Complex systems consist of a large number of mutually interacting parts whose properties are not fully explained by an understanding of its component parts.

Self-organization
Self-organisation is a dynamical and adaptive process where systems acquire and maintain structure themselves without external control and through the continuous interactions between the individual parts of the system

Emergence
Emergence is when something new is revealed as various parts of a system organize together. The macro-level emergents are novel with respect to the individual parts of the system. 

Non-linearity
Non-linear systems demonstrate a critical change in one subsystem can lead to big changes in behavior causing the whole system to shift- this is called a phase shift

Resulting from multiple constraints
Constraints (individual, environment, task) shape development; as one constraint changes, that constraint, in turn, affects the growth and influence of the other constraints, producing new pattern potentials

Variability and Dynamic Stability
Behavior can be both stable and variable. Developing organisms are neither stereotyped and “hard-wired” nor are they random. Behavior fluctuates, but within limits. The stability of any behavioral pattern relies on variability and is dependent upon the adaptive response to any change in the constraints. The process of developmental change is usually accompanied by a period of instability, where the system is exploring, so to speak, another level of stability. 

Biotensegrity is also mentioned in the video- go here to learn more about that complex systems science.

resources

In the video, the notations refer to the resources listed below.

(2)
The development of motor behavior, Karen E. Adolph and John M. Franchak
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tvlGuxERHwlY5tf7FS7SJ7hBC9fFwVU_/view?usp=sharing

(3)
How Children Learn to Discover Their Environment: An Embodied Dynamic Systems Perspective on the Development of Spatial Cognition, Hanna Mulder, Ora Oudgenoeg-Paz, Annika Hellendoorn and Marian J. Jongmans
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BjDPkTlWR3jVwHQ2uaRCyQm-SlALEGJR/view?usp=sharing

(4)
Dynamic Field Theory as a Framework for Understanding Embodied Cognition, Sebastian Schneegans, Gregor Schöner
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gN7qEHwWv0KS1SUDQql6mbxnqqmAP1sg/view?usp=sharing

(5)
Movement Matters: The Contributions of Esther Thelen, Linda B. Smith
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sq_qRvURkPFTPMI0F07BkMBBcrQ1EO9t/view?usp=sharing

(6)
Behavioral Epigenetics: How Nurture Shapes Nature, Tabitha M. Powledge
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17k9Qm1FnKNMF7PUr5hIylsA7nzjB_mJO/view?usp=drive_link

(7)
The role of dynamic systems theory in motor development research: How does theory inform practice and what are the potential implications for autism spectrum disorder? Andrew M. Colombo-Dougovito
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xeYUlSpv4luvoE86vwoo5GgyIxfmcPsY/view?usp=sharing

(8)
Self-organization and Developmental Processes: Can Systems Approaches Work? Esther Thelen
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q1Swhjg28uYrsR7yJYV_0V3MtqnBhUJd/view?usp=sharing

(9)
DST, Yauvani Sharma
https://www.slideserve.com/yauvani/dynamic-systems-theory

Want to know how to begin your path with Somatic Groundwork? Message me here.

The post Dynamic Systems Theory appeared first on School for Somatic Groundwork.