• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.185-204
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• 2005

This paper demonstrated how application of evolutionary knowledge to developmental perspectives enhances understanding of human ontogeny. Evolutionary Developmental Psychology (EDP) explains human behavior through evolutionary principles and focuses on ontogeny rather than phylogeny. In this paper, the authors review concepts of evolution, adaptations, and the processes of evolution from EDP perspectives. The definition and basic assumptions of EDP are introduced, followed by explanations of how evolution happens in ontogeny by looking at developmental systems approaches, concepts of ontogenetic and deferred adaptations, evolution of childhood, and brain plasticity. Possible pathways of evolution in ontogeny are also discussed. Finally, some research methodology for applying EDP to child development is suggested with specific hypotheses and studies.