ABSTRACT
The study of pathology for the purpose of illuminating normalcy has a long and respected history in the field of psychology (A. Freud, 1965; S. Freud, 1940/1955; Shallice, 1988). Through examination of cognitive, behavioral, or affective deviations, processes responsible for normal functioning can be better understood. With respect to development, this principle is currently a key tenet of developmental psychopathology (Cicchetti, 1993). Advocates of this approach have studied several populations of disordered or high-risk children (e.g., children with Down syndrome, children of depressed mothers, maltreated children) in an effort to generate and confirm hypotheses regarding normal developmental processes. Simultaneously, this research has garnered a greater understanding of these children's competencies and deficiencies, critical to providing them with optimal care and treatment.
