Scrutinizing application: An agenda for applied developmental psychology

This paper dissects two views of application. The first is associated with an ontogenetic, general skills perspective which assumes that applications involve bringing to bear general concepts and principles on practical problems, deviant populations and the match between developing individuals and the environment they inhabit and use. However, that ontogenetic view and its associated applications may be flawed. A second functionalist view of application is described which suggests a need to examine the meaning of application and the contexts where applications are appropriate. Two questions might profitably be evaluated simultaneously: How does the developing individual gain access to relevant competencies and adapt them to new circumstances?, and How does the developmentalist decide what is relevant and usable for practice? A particular developmental curriculum fitting these views is described.