Developmental Hypothesis Research Articles

Perceived maternal parenting as a mediator of the intergenerational similarity of dependency and self-criticism: A study with Arab Jordanian adolescents and their mothers.

This study investigated the intergenerational similarity of personality vulnerability to depression as conceptualized by Blatt (1974) in a sample of Arab Jordanian mothers and their adolescents. Perceived maternal parenting was examined as a mediator of the intergenerational similarity of two personality vulnerabilities; that is, dependency and self-criticism. Both mothers and adolescents (N = 298 families) completed the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) to tap into personality vulnerability and adolescents additionally provided ratings of maternal parenting (support and psychological control) and depressive symptoms. Findings showed significant and specific associations between mothers' and adolescents' dependency and self-criticism. Perceived maternal parenting was found to mediate this intergenerational similarity at least partially. This study is among the first to test developmental hypotheses derived from Blatt's theory in a non-Western sample. Findings show striking similarity with data obtained in the West and, as such, contribute to the cross-cultural generalization of the theory.

Models of neurodevelopmental abnormalities in schizophrenia.

The neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia asserts that the underlying pathology of schizophrenia has its roots in brain development and that these brain abnormalities do not manifest themselves until adolescence or early adulthood. Animal models based on developmental manipulations have provided insight into the vulnerability of the developing fetus and the importance of the early environment for normal maturation. These models have provided a wide range of validated approaches to answer questions regarding environmental influences on both neural and behavioral development. In an effort to better understand the developmental hypothesis of schizophrenia, animal models have been developed, which seek to model the etiology and/or the pathophysiology of schizophrenia or specific behaviors associated with the disease. Developmental models specific to schizophrenia have focused on epidemiological risk factors (e.g., prenatal viral insult, birth complications) or more heuristic models aimed at understanding the developmental neuropathology of the disease (e.g., ventral hippocampal lesions). The combined approach of behavioral and neuroanatomical evaluation of these models strengthens their utility in improving our understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and developing new treatment strategies.

Emotional memory and psychopathic traits in conduct disordered adolescents

The limited number of studies reporting emotional memory impairments in adults with psychopathic traits has not yet been replicated in conduct disordered adolescents with callous unemotional (CU) traits. This study aimed to test the developmental hypothesis that emotional memory will also be impaired in conduct disordered adolescents with CU traits on similar memory tasks. Eighty-four conduct disordered male adolescents assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL: YV) were tested on a well-validated emotional memory task. Task performance was assessed in relation to scores on the PCL: YV with particular reference to the affective domains which reflect CU traits. As expected, in the sample as a whole, memory for emotional events was better than memory for neutral events. High psychopathy scorers had attenuated cued recall for the more emotional components of the task. Psychopathy scores, particularly the affective facet scores (reflecting CU traits) showed a negative relationship to recall accuracy for emotional events. The findings essentially replicate those from our adult studies suggesting that the emotional memory processing deficits seen in psychopathy are reasonably stable across the lifespan.

Development of the adrenal stress response in the Florida scrub-jay ( Aphelocoma coerulescens)

Nestlings of altricial species undergo a period of substantial growth and development in the nest after hatching. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis regulates the release of stress hormones such as corticosterone, which in adults is critical in allowing an animal to respond to a stressor. However, activation of this axis in young birds may be detrimental to growth and possibly survival. The developmental hypothesis predicts that altricial nestlings should display a dampened corticosterone response to stress as a means of protection against the potentially harmful effects of elevated corticosterone. We examined this hypothesis in Florida scrub-jays, a cooperatively breeding species with altricial young. Blood samples were collected from nestlings, nutritionally independent young, and yearlings for measurement of corticosterone levels. Baseline corticosterone levels did not differ between age-classes; however, stress-induced corticosterone levels were highest in yearlings, intermediate in independent young, and lowest in nestlings. The nestling stress response was also of a shorter duration than the response in independent young and yearlings. This variation in stress responsiveness across ages may be an adaptive mechanism to protect the developing bird from the negative effects of corticosterone on growth and cognitive development.

Cognitive and neural development of individuated self-representation in children.

Processing the self-relevance of information facilitates recall. Similarly, processing close-other-related information facilitates recall to a lesser degree than processing self-relevant information. This memory advantage may be viewed as an index of the degree to which the representation of self is differentiated from representations of close others. To test developmental hypotheses concerning the self, this study examined the relation of memory for self- and mother-referentially processed information in participants age 7-13 years (Experiment 1: N = 37; Experiment 2: N = 14). Memory for words encoded with reference to oneself increases with age, relative to memory for words encoded with reference to one's mother. When used as an individual difference measure, the difference in self versus mother memory correlates with regions of the rostral anterior cingulate associated with affective salience.

Morphological modularity and assessment of developmental processes within the vole dental row (Microtus arvalis, Arvicolinae, Rodentia)

Knowledge of mammalian tooth formation is increasing, through numerous genetic and developmental studies. The prevalence of teeth in fossil remains has led to an intensive description of evolutionary patterns within and among lineages based on tooth morphology. The extent to which developmental processes have influenced tooth morphologies and therefore the role of these processes in these evolutionary patterns are nonetheless challenging. Recent methodological advances have been proposed allowing the inference of developmental processes from adult morphologies and the characterization of the degree of developmental integration/modularity of morphological traits by studying the patterns of variation within and among individuals. This study focuses on the geometric shape of the lower molars of the vole species Microtus arvalis. Our results suggest (i) quasi-independence of each molar at the developmental level (developmental modules), even slightly stronger for the third molar supporting some genetic and developmental hypotheses and (ii) more pervasive integration processes among molars at the morphological level.

Conceptualization of hostile psychopathy and sadism: Drive theory and object relations perspectives

A distinct formulation of hostile psychopathy is presented, based on analytic clinical experience with psychopathic youth and adults. Two psychodynamic conceptualizations of aggression are presented – one connoting a basic destructive drive, the other portraying aggression as a means of ensuring gratification and countering frustration. Following Meloy's (1988) analysis of psychopathy as a combination of a deficient object relational capacity to bond and high levels of instinctual aggression, hostile psychopathy in general, and sadism specifically, are conceptualized from these two perspectives. Sadism, which features re-enacted events of violence, is posited as a distinct manifestation of hostile psychopathy with ritualized features attributable to object relations disturbances. Other variants of hostile psychopathy are analyzed as derivatives of more direct aggressive instinctual expressions that are not relational in their intent or function, in which destructiveness is an end in itself. Hostile psychopathy is presented as entailing elements of an instinctual propensity toward aggressive discharge. In addition, a more elaborate motif is posited in which the pain and suffering of others is the key factor in sadism. In the latter facet, there is an actual enjoyment of the others’ suffering, and unresolved relationships are re-enacted with a reparative intent. A psychosexual developmental hypothesis is suggested, in which drive-based aggressive discharge is linked to the oral sadistic stage, while sadistic relational dynamics are posited to reflect the power-control battles of the anal sadistic stage. As a limitation, it is noted that the sociopolitical aspects of psychopathy are not addressed in this clinical analysis. Moreover, since the data presented are oriented toward the intrapsychic (in contrast to social) aspects of psychopathy, the countertransference aspects of relationships that psychopaths tend to engender are not addressed specifically.

“Ray-Intrusive” Laticifers in Species of Croton Section Cyclostigma (Euphorbiaceae)

A description of the occurrence and structure of “ray-intrusive” laticifers in the rays of species of Croton section Cyclostigma is provided. The systematic significance of laticifers within Croton section Cyclostigma is briefly discussed in relation to the section’s known production of red latex, commonly called “dragon’s blood”. A developmental hypothesis is offered and discussed in the context of the assumption that all laticifers in wood rays are non-articulated.

Building Developmental Integration into Functional Systems: Function-Induced Integration of Mandibular Shape

The mammalian mandible is a developmentally modular but functionally integrated system. Whether morphological integration can evolve to match the optimal pattern of functional integration may depend on the developmental origin of integration, specifically, on the role that direct epigenetic interactions play in shaping integration. These interactions are hypothesized to integrate modules and also to be highly conservative, potentially constraining the evolution of integration. Using the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) mandible as a model system, we test five a priori developmental hypotheses that predict mandibular integration and we also explore for correlations between shapes of mandibular regions not anticipated by any of the developmental models. To determine whether direct epigenetic interactions are highly conserved in rodents, we examine the correlation structure of fluctuating asymmetry, and compare integration patterns between fox squirrels and prairie deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii). In fox squirrels, we find a correlation structure unanticipated by all a priori developmental models: adjacent parts along the proximodistal jaw axis are correlated whereas more distant ones are not. The most notable exception is that the shape of the anterior incisor alveolus is correlated with the shape of the ramus (FA component) or coronoid (symmetric component). Those exceptions differ between species; in prairie deer mice, the molar alveolus is connected to more parts, and the incisor alveolus to fewer, than in fox squirrels. The structure of integration suggests that the mandible cannot be decomposed into parts but rather is a single connected unit, a result consistent with its functional integration. That match between functional and developmental integration may arise, at least in part, from function-induced growth, building developmental integration into the functional system and enabling direct epigenetic interactions to evolve when function does.

Schizophrenia: From developmental deviance to dopamine dysregulation

Two major theories of schizophrenia are respectively, the neurodevelopmental hypothesis and the dopamine hypothesis. Each of these has recently been revised. Firstly, the classical neurodevelopmental hypothesis has been modified to include the pathogenic effects of psychostimulants and cannabis abuse, and also of chronic social adversity; it is perhaps now more appropriately termed, the developmental hypothesis. Secondly, recent amendments to the dopamine hypothesis suggest that excess striatal dopamine is responsible for increased salience being given to insignificant events and thoughts, and that this underpins the development of psychotic symptoms. Traditionally, it has been thought that this striatal dopamine dysregulation might be secondary to frontal dysfunction. However, recent animal research shows that over-expression of striatal D 2 receptors results in frontal dysfunction manifesting as cognitive difficulties and animal equivalents of so-called negative symptoms. This raises the question whether early intervention may prevent the development of these latter problems. Finally, the two theories are beginning to be integrated through the growing evidence that all the developmental risk factors which increase risk of schizophrenia appear to act by facilitating dopamine dysregulation.

Morphological integration and natural selection in the postcranium of wild verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi)

Morphological integration manifests as strong phenotypic covariation among interacting traits. In this study, a graph-theory approach is used to analyze patterns of morphological integration in a wild population of Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi). The motivation for this study is to determine the relative roles of development versus function in shaping patterns of morphological integration in the sifaka postcranium. A developmental and a functional hypothesis of integration are compared with the observed pattern of integration and the fit of these hypotheses is assessed using information theoretic statistics. Correlational selection is also estimated on limb elements. Information theoretic statistics indicate that the developmental hypothesis fits the observed pattern of integration slightly better than the functional hypothesis. Only two pairs of traits experience correlational selection but neither of the traits within each pair are morphologically integrated. The observed pattern of integration contains several trait-trait associations that are specified by both the functional and developmental hypotheses. These results likely reflect the nested covariation structure in which a novel locomotor mode, vertical clinging and leaping, is derived from a primitive quadrupedal morphotype.

In This Issue

In This Issue

Stress and memory bias interact to predict depression in multiple sclerosis.

This study is an investigation of the moderating effect of cognitive schema on the relationship between stress and depression in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). In the study, the authors employed a performance-based measure of affective memory bias and a self-report measure of everyday stress to assess both direct and interactive effects of cognitive schema and stress on depression in individuals with MS. The specific hypotheses were that high stress would be more highly associated with depression if an individual also demonstrated a bias for negative information, but that a bias for positive information may buffer against the effects of stress on depression. Results supported the hypotheses, demonstrating a significant effect of the interaction and differential effects of stress based on the direction of memory bias. Implications for understanding depression in MS are discussed, as well as dominant theories of adult depression in the general population. The results are also discussed as a potential contradiction to A. T. Beck's (1967, 1976) developmental hypothesis of cognitive schemas.

"LIKE ME" DETECTION IN INFANCY: TOWARD UNDERSTANDING OTHER'S MENTAL STATES

The first important step toward an understanding of the other’s mental state involves identification of the other person. The ability of infants to detect humans and familiar individuals is present since the time of birth; moreover, infants prefer other infants of the same age in the sense that they are similar to the infants themselves. Recent developmental hypothesis assumes that the correspondence between the self and the other, that is, the recognition of other individuals as “like me (i.e., producing identical expressions and movements)” must play an important role in the development of understanding other’s mental states. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the previous literature on the social perception during infancy, with particular emphasis on the correspondence between the self and the other. Additionally, this paper discusses the role of such social perception in the subsequent development of understanding other’s mental states.

The impact of developmental conditions on adult salivary estradiol levels: Why this differs from progesterone?

Women living in energetically stressful conditions have significantly lower baseline salivary steroid levels compared to those in affluent environments. Developmental hypotheses suggest that interpopulation variation in ovarian function results from contrasting environments experienced during growth. We use a migrant study of Bangladeshi women to test this hypothesis. We compared middle-class women (19-39 years) who migrated to London, UK, at different life-stages (pre and postmenarche), with Bangladeshi sedentees, second-generation British-Bangladeshis, and white British women living in similar London neighborhoods (total n = 227). We analyzed levels of salivary estradiol for one menstrual cycle, together with data on anthropometry, diet, lifestyle, and migration and reproductive histories. Results from multiple linear regression models, controlling for anthropometric and reproductive variables, show no significant differences in baseline estradiol levels between groups whether all cycles or just ovulatory cycles are analyzed. We also found no correlation between age at migration or time since migration on estradiol levels, nor between adult estradiol levels and age at menarche. Our results differ from previous reports of significantly lower salivary estradiol levels in populations living in more extreme ecological settings. They also contrast with our previous findings of significant intergroup differences in baseline levels of salivary progesterone. However, women who spent their childhood in Sylhet have a lower proportion of ovulatory cycles compared to women who developed in Britain. These group differences in ovulation frequency indicate more qualitative effects of contrasting developmental environments. We discuss possible explanations for differences in response between progesterone and estradiol, as well as broader implications of our findings.

Intergroup biases in conflict: Reexamination with Arab pre-adolescents and adolescents

This study examined the proposition derived from the integrative developmental contextual theory (IDCT) (Bar-Tal & Teichman, 2005; Teichman & Bar-Tal, in press) that contextual circumstances determining collective self esteem (i.e. conflict and social status), and developmental stage in which identity development is a central issue (pre- and early adolescence) would influence intergroup biases. This proposition was previously examined with Israeli Jewish participants and here is re-examined in three samples, aged 8—17, including Israeli Arabs and two groups from the Palestinian Authority. The three samples were based in different intergroup contexts in which their group status was relatively high, medium or low. The findings demonstrate differences in the relationship between contextually defined collective self-esteem and intergroup attitudes. Results confirmed the hypothesis that in conflict, irrespective of age highest intergroup biases would be displayed by the high status group. However, the hypothesis that the lowest status group would express only more negativity toward the out-group was not confirmed. The developmental hypothesis that pre- and early adolescents from the high status group would express most varied and extreme biases was also confirmed. With some exceptions in the middle status group, all older adolescents displayed moderation in biases.

1B-5 Exploring the developmental overnutrition hypothesis using parental offspring associations and the FTO gene as an instrumental variable for maternal adiposity. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children (ALSPAC)

1B-5 Exploring the developmental overnutrition hypothesis using parental offspring associations and the FTO gene as an instrumental variable for maternal adiposity. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children (ALSPAC)

Extra Version and Neuroticism in Team Sport Participants, Individual Sport Participants, and Nonparticipants

Scores on Extraversion and on Neuroticism as measured by the Eysenck Personality Inventory were compared for 90 undergraduate team sport participants, individual sport participants, and nonparticipants (43 men, 47 women, M age = 20.3 yr.). From past research and Eysenck's biological theory of personality, it was hypothesized that sport participants would score higher on Extraversion and lower on Neuroticism than nonparticipants, and that team participants would score higher on Extraversion and perhaps higher on Neuroticism than individual sport participants. By comparing scores for students in first year and final year, it was also investigated whether pre-existing personality differences drew people to sport (the gravitational hypothesis) or whether personality changed as a function of sport participation (the developmental hypothesis). The main findings were that team participants scored higher on Extraversion than both individual sport participants and nonparticipants, and that test scores did not change over time, supporting the gravitational hypothesis for Extraversion.

Generalizing the dynamic field theory of spatial cognition across real and developmental time scales

Within cognitive neuroscience, computational models are designed to provide insights into the organization of behavior while adhering to neural principles. These models should provide sufficient specificity to generate novel predictions while maintaining the generality needed to capture behavior across tasks and/or time scales. This paper presents one such model, the dynamic field theory (DFT) of spatial cognition, showing new simulations that provide a demonstration proof that the theory generalizes across developmental changes in performance in four tasks—the Piagetian A-not-B task, a sandbox version of the A-not-B task, a canonical spatial recall task, and a position discrimination task. Model simulations demonstrate that the DFT can accomplish both specificity–generating novel, testable predictions–and generality—spanning multiple tasks across development with a relatively simple developmental hypothesis. Critically, the DFT achieves generality across tasks and time scales with no modification to its basic structure and with a strong commitment to neural principles. The only change necessary to capture development in the model was an increase in the precision of the tuning of receptive fields as well as an increase in the precision of local excitatory interactions among neurons in the model. These small quantitative changes were sufficient to move the model through a set of quantitative and qualitative behavioral changes that span the age range from 8 months to 6 years and into adulthood. We conclude by considering how the DFT is positioned in the literature, the challenges on the horizon for our framework, and how a dynamic field approach can yield new insights into development from a computational cognitive neuroscience perspective.

Isolated noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium

Isolated noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium (INVM), first described in 1984, is an unclassified cardiomyopathy and is assumed to occur as an arrest of the compaction process during the normal development of the heart. Between weeks 5 to 8 of human fetal development, the ventricular myocardium undergoes gradual compaction with transformation of the relatively large intertrabecular spaces into capillaries while the residual spaces within the trabecular meshwork gradually flatten or disappear. In the case of INVM, the spaces within the intertrabecular meshwork persist while no other cardiac abnormalities exist. Although there is substantial evidence supporting the developmental hypothesis, other pathogenetic processes responsible for INVM have been discussed. It can be assumed that INVM will be better understood in the future as the molecular genetic basis of cardiomyopathies will be further unravelled. Echocardiography has been shown to be the method of choice in diagnosis of INVM. The diagnostic criteria can be summarized as: 1) appearance of at least four prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses; 2) appearance of blood flow from the ventricular cavity into the intertrabecular recesses as visualized by color Doppler imaging; 3) the segments of noncompacted myocardium mainly involve the apex and the inferior mid and lateral mid of the left ventricular wall and typically show a two-layered structure with an endsystolic ratio greater than two between the noncompacted subendocardial layer and the compacted subepicardial layer; 4) absence of coexisting cardiac abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging using modern gradient echo sequences has also been shown to diagnose INVM accurately. The clinical presentation of INVM is characterized by a high prevalence of heart failure, thromboembolic events and arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. The establishment of a registry, which was initiated by the "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Leitende Kardiologische Krankenhausärzte (ALKK)" recently, may provide further clues for diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of this disease.