CHILD MALTREATMENT - IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY AND RESEARCH

Developmental theories can be affirmed, challenged, and augmented by i ncorporating knowledge about atypical ontogenesis. Because investigati ons of human behavior are restricted by difficulties associated with c ompromising the integrity of the individual's biological and psycholog ical functioning, it becomes valuable to draw on the potential afforde d by 'experiments of nature'. Examination of individuals with high-ris k conditions and psychopathological disorders can provide an entree in to the study of system organization, disorganization, and reorganizati on. In this article, child maltreatment is examined to illustrate the benefit that can be derived from the study of individuals subjected to nonnormative caregiving experiences. The relevance of research on mal treatment to several important aspects of developmental theory is exp licated.