Dante Cicchetti and Thomas M. Achenbach set the stage for this volume in these first two chapters by examining the historical and theoretical underpinnings of developmental psychopathology. Cicchetti traces the roots of this new discipline in three theories of development, each of which was influenced by Western philosophy and embryology: Freudian psychoanalytic theory, Wernerian organismic theory, and Piagetian structural theory. Cicchetti illustrates how, in diverse disciplines, the study of atypical or pathological populations has served to enrich and confirm the understanding of normal development, particularly in regard to the hierarchically integrated and dynamic nature of development. More recently, a developmental approach to pathological or atypical populations is leading to exciting advances in our knowledge of normal development as well as abnormal development.

Achenbach examines in detail the potential of the developmental perspective as a framework for organizing research on psychopathology and stimulating integrative theory, as well as for improving our assessment and intervention efforts with children at risk for or already manifesting psychological problems. The implications of this perspective for training in different disciplines are also explored, with Achenbach suggesting core areas of training for professionals who share a common concern about psychopathology whether they are students of nursing, pediatrics, psychiatry, clinical psychology, human development, education, or social work.