DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS THEORY

SIX PROPOSITIONS RELATED TO MOVEMENT AND MOTOR DEVELOPMENT Heriza, C.B. (1991). Implications of a dynamical systems approach to understanding infant kicking behavior. Physical Therapy, 71, 222-235.

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1. MOVING AND DEVELOPING ORGANISMS ARE HIGH-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS, AND BEHAVIOR REPRESENTS A COMPRESSION OF DEGREES OF FREEDOM.

2. BEHAVIOR EMERGES IN A SELF-ORGANIZING FASHION AS A FUNCTION OF THE COOPERATION OF THE MANY SUBSYSTEMS IN A TASK CONTEXT.

3. MOVING AND DEVELOPING ORGANISMS OCCUPY PREFERRED BUT NOT OBLIGATORY REGIONS OF THEIR STATE SPACE.

4. NEW BEHAVIOR FORMS EMERGE IN DEVELOPMENT AS A SERIES OF PHASE SHIFTS.

5. DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGE CAN BE ENVISIONED AS A SERIES OF STABILIZING AND DESTABILIZING ATTRACTORS.

6. THE CONTROL PARAMETERS CHANGE OVER TIME.

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