ABSTRACT
Developmental contextualism is an instance of developmental systems theory. Consistent with the emphases on integrative (or fused) relations between individuals and contexts found in other instances of such systems perspectives (Chapter 7), the central idea in developmental contextualism is that changing, reciprocal relations (or dynamic interactions) between individuals and the multiple contexts within which they live comprise the essential process of human development (Lerner, 1986; Lerner & Kauffman, 1985).
