Saskia Kunnen, A Dynamic Systems Approach to Adolescent Development

The dynamic systems approach is a rapidly expanding advancement in the study of developmental research and especially in the domain of adolescent development. It examines the processes of adolescent development and of how adolescents change, and provides knowledge that cannot be gained by the common ways of studying development. However, new techniques are required for this innovative study of developmental processes and there is a great need for a handbook that helps social scientists to translate dynamic systems conceptualizations into empirical research.

This edited book provides both theoretical and technical knowledge about the application of dynamic systems theory in such a way that the readers will be able to implement this approach themselves. The first part discusses descriptive techniques that describe and assess specific process characteristics such as variability, sudden jumps and attractor states. The second part explores the different techniques for building a dynamic systems model, which can simulate the behaviour of a system to investigate the mechanisms behind the processes. Each chapter describes one technique and is based on a specific practical example of its application in adolescent development. Step-by-step instructions for model building and examples of ready-made models are provided on the website that belongs to the book.

This book is ideal for researchers who study development who are not statistical or methodological specialists. It provides a clear step-for-step description of theories and techniques that are designed for the study of developmental processes.

Table of Contents

Author/Editor Biography

E. Saskia Kunnen is Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Groningen where she researches and teaches dynamic systems modelling and the application of dynamic systems theory in the field of identity development in adolescence and emerging adulthood.