Developmental psychopathology (DP) is a scientific discipline focused on behavioral adaptation and maladaptation in the context of developmental change. DP takes an integrative approach, incorporating insights from several related disciplines, including clinical, experimental, and developmental psychology; genetics; neuroscience; and psychiatry. DP defines adaptive development as a successful progression through socially valued developmental tasks and views disorder as a deviation from this trajectory. The study of normal and that of abnormal development are seen as complementary and mutually informative. Core principles include a developmental perspective on continuity and change, a holistic view of the individual, attention to the role of context, and consideration of multiple levels of adaptive functioning, including behavioral and biological levels. DP is distinguished from child and adult clinical psychology in its focus ...

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