Synonyms
Definition
Ontogenetic adaptations are adaptations that serve an adaptive function at a specific time in development and disappear when they are no longer functional. Examples of ontogenetic adaptations are provided from the prenatal (e.g., placenta in mammals), infancy (e.g., nursing and rooting reflex; neonatal imitation), and childhood (e.g., overestimation of one’s abilities, egocentricity) periods. Ontogenetic adaptations provide a mechanism for understanding how certain aspects of early life may have evolved to adapt the young organism to its particular time in development.
Introduction
Evolutionary developmental psychologists have identified three general types of adaptations characteristic of infancy and childhood (see entry on “The Development of Adaptations” in this volume). Deferred adaptationsserve to prepare infants and children for life as an adult or for the acquisition of important skills that will be useful throughout life....
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References
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Bjorklund, D.F. (2016). Ontogenetic Adaptations. In: Weekes-Shackelford, V., Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2388-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2388-1
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