Equifinality and Multifinality in Developmental Psychopathology

EDITORIAL Equifinality and multifinality in developmental psychopathology

DANTE CICCHETTI AND FRED A. ROGOSCH Mt. Hope Family Center, University of Rochester

Since its inception as an emergent interdisci- epigenesis, may lead to the same outcome, plinary science, diversity in process and out- Stated differently, in an open system (i.e., one come have been conceived as among the hall- where there is maintenance in change, dy- marks of the developmental psychopathology namic order of processes, organization, self- perspective (Cicchetti, 1984, 1990; Gar- regulation, etc.) the same end state may be mezy & Streitman, 1974; Kohlberg, La- reached from a variety of different initial con- Crosse, & Riclcs, 1972; Sameroff, 1989; ditions and through different processes. This Sroufe, 1986, 1989; Sroufe & Rutter, 1984). is referred to as equifinality, an organismic Thus, developmental psychopathologists have process that possesses significant implications articulated the expectations that there are mul- for psychological and biological regulatory tiple contributors to adaptive or maladaptive systems (Cicchetti, 1996) and for behavioral outcomes in any individual, that these factors and biological plasticity (Cicchetti & Tucker, and their relative contributions vary among 1994b). In contrast, in a closed system the end individuals, and that there are myriad path- state is inextricably linked to and determined ways to any particular manifestation of adap- by the initial conditions: if either the condi- tive or disordered behavior (Cicchetti, 1993; tions change or the processes are modified, Richters & Cicchetti, 1993; Robins, 1966; then the end state will also be modified (von Robins & Rutter, 1990; Rutter, 1989, 1995; Bertalanffy, 1968). Sroufe & Jacobvitz, 1989). Additionally, it is Initial descriptions of equifinality ema- believed that there is heterogeneity among in- nated from work in embryology. For example, dividuals who develop a specific disorder the development of a normal organism was with respect to the features of their disturb- shown to occur from a whole ovum, a divided ance, as well as among individuals who evi- ovum, or two fused ova. Further, it was dem- dence maladaptation but who do not develop onstrated that different initial sizes and differ- a disorder. In accord with this view, the prin- ent courses of growth can eventuate in the ciples of equifinality and multifinality derived same ultimate size of an organism (von Berta- from general systems theory (von Bertalanffy, lanffy, 1968; Waddington, 1957). Within the 1968) are germane. discipline of developmental psychopathology, Equifinality refers to the observation that equifinality has been invoked to explain why in any open system (cf. Mayr, 1964, 1988) a a variety of developmental pathways may diversity of pathways, including chance eventuate in a given outcome, rather than ex- events or what biologists refer to as nonlinear pecting a singular primary pathway to the adaptive or maladaptive outcome. Address correspondence to: Dr. Dante Cicchetti or Dr. The Principle of multifinality (Wilden, Fred A. Rogosch, Mt. Hope Family Center, Univ. of 1980) suggests that any one component may Rochester, 187 Edinburgh St., Rochester, NY 14608. function differently depending on the organi-

597 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. 26 Sep 2021 at 13:13:17, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use. 598 O. Cicchetti and F. /\. Rogosch

zation of the system in which it operates, tributing to divergence in outcomes given Multifinality states that the effect on function- common origins. In many respects, the strate- ing of any one component's value may vary gies needed to achieve these goals run counter in different systems. Actual effects will de- to prevailing variable-oriented strategies that pend on the conditions set by the values of strive to identify the primary or major causal additional components with which it is struc- agents involved in understanding the etiology turally linked. Consequently, the pathology or of psychopathological conditions. Such van- health of a system must be identified in terms able-oriented approaches are important for of how adequately its essential functions are understanding the average or most expected maintained. Stated differently, a particular ad- outcomes and various component processes verse event should not necessarily be seen as that contribute to those outcomes on a group leading to the same psychopathological or non- level. These types of analyses may be thought psychopathological outcome in every individ- of as a first generation approach that estab- ual. Likewise, individuals may begin on the lishes important relations among variables same major pathway and, as a function of their that are prominent in populations. In some ar- subsequent "choices," exhibit very different eas of inquiry (e.g., conduct disorder, depres- patterns of adaptation or maladaptation (Cic- sion) a substantial knowledge base has been chetti & Tucker, 1994a; Rutter, 1989; Sroufe, accrued in this manner. In contrast, a path- 1989; Sroufe, Egeland, & Kreutzer, 1990). ways approach builds upon knowledge gained The collection of papers in this Special Is- from variable-oriented studies; however, at- sue represents a diversity of approaches to tention is shifted to exploring the common studying pathways conceptualizations in de- and the uncommon outcomes, as well as alter- velopmental psychopathology. Many of the nate routes by which outcomes are achieved papers involve the presentation of longitudi- by different individuals (cf. Cicchetti & nal data to delineate various patterns of func- Schneider-Rosen, 1986). Thus, what might be tioning over time and differential processes considered error variance at the group level contributing to outcomes. Developmental pe- must be critically examined for understanding riods ranging from infancy to very old age are diversity in process and outcome. This more examined, and a plethora of types of psycho- person-oriented level of analysis of a differen- pathological outcomes, including early dis- tial pathways approach is vital for achieving ruptive behavior, conduct disorder and antiso- a primary mission of developmental psycho- ciality, depressive and anxiety disorders, pathology, implied in its definition as "... substance and alcohol disorders, and schizo- the study of the origins and course of individ- phrenia are investigated, as well as a variety ual patterns of behavioral maladaptation ..." of personality functioning and coping dimen- (Sroufe & Rutter, 1984, p. 18). sions. Psychological and biological processes In this Special Issue variable-oriented and and their interplay in development are eluci- person-oriented analyses are presented, with dated to provide integrative conceptualiza- some papers incorporating both types of per- tions of the developmental course. spectives. In several behavior-genetic investi- Beyond this broad scope of populations, gations, twin study methodologies are used to developmental periods, psychopathologies, obtain population-level estimates of the con- and contributory processes, the papers in this unbuttons of genetic and environmental Special Issue share a number of important sources of influence. Pathways thinking has commonalities. In examining developmental stimulated researchers in this area to begin to pathways, the contributors were asked to ad- ask how these types of analyses can impart dress how their work could be used to illus- knowledge of development at the individual trate issues of equifinality and/or multifinality level. In many of the papers in this Special in their respective papers. Thus, the goal of Issue, attention to homogeneous subgroups is the contributors was to examine diversity in utilized as a critical strategy for elucidating origins and processes leading to common out- diversity in process and outcome. The empha* comes, as well as to elucidate processes con- sis on subgroup analysis highlights the transi-

Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. 26 Sep 2021 at 13:13:17, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use. Equifinality and multifinality in developmental psychopathology 599

tion from a focus on variables to a focus on This attention to diversity in origins, pro- individuals, and this transition is essential for cesses, and outcomes in understanding devel- demonstrating equifinality and multifinality in opmental pathways does not suggest that pre- the developmental course. The examination of diction is futile as a result of the many patterns of commonality within relatively ho- potential individual patterns of adaptation mogeneous subgroups of individuals and con- (Sroufe, 1989). There are constraints on how comitant similarity in profiles of contributory much diversity is possible, and not all out- processes becomes an important data analytic comes are equally likely (Cicchetti & Tucker, strategy. Moreover, the need to examine the 1994a; Sroufe et al., 1990). Nonetheless, the totality of attributes, psychopathological con- appreciation of equifinality and multifinality ditions, and risk and protective processes in in development encourages theorists and re- the context of each other rather than in isola- searchers to entertain more complex and var- tion is seen as crucial for understanding the ied approaches to how they conceptualize and course of development taken by individuals, investigate development and psychopathol- For example, the presence of a childhood de- ogy. We believe that the papers in this Special pressive disorder has different developmental Issue will stimulate researchers to move be- implications depending on whether it occurs yond the use of equifinality and multifinality alone or in conjunction with conduct disorder, in post hoc discussions of their findings. Re- Similarly, the nature of alcoholism varies con- searchers should increasingly strive to dem- siderably depending on differences in the life onstrate the multiplicity of processes and course of antisociality. Xnus> this orientation outcomes that may be articulated at the indi- highlights the importance of an organizational vidual, person-oriented level within existing view of development (cf. Cicchetti, 1993; longitudinal data sets. Ultimately, future en- Cicchetti & Sroufe, 1978; Sroufe et al., 1990; deavors must conceptualize and design re- Waters & Sroufe, 1983). The meaning of any search at the outset with these differential one attribute, process, or psychopathological pathways concepts as a foundation. In so do- condition needs to be considered in light of ing, progress toward achieving the unique the complex matrix of individual characteris- goals of developmental psychopathology to tics, experiences, and social-contextual influ- explain the development of individual pat- ences involved, the timing of events and expe- terns of adaptation and maladaptation will be riences, and the developmental history of the realized, individual.

References

Cicchetti, D. (1984). The emergence of developmental syndrome infants. In M. Lewis & L. Rosenblum psychopathology. Child Development, 55, 1-7. (Eds.), The Development of Affect (pp. 309-350). Cicchetti, D. (1990). An historical perspective on the dis- New York: Plenum Press. cipline of developmental psychopathology. In J. Rolf, Cicchetti, D., & Tucker, D. (1994a). Development and A. Masten, D. Cicchetti, K. Neuchterlein, & S. Wein- self-regulatory structures of the mind. Development traub (Eds.), Risk and protective factors in the devel- and Psychopathology, 6, 533-549. opment of psychopathology (pp. 2-28). New York: Cicchetti, D., & Tucker, D. (Eds.). (1994b). Special issue: Cambridge University Press. Neural plasticity, sensitive periods, and psychopathol- Cicchetti, D. (1993). Developmental psychopathology: ogy. Development and Psychopathology, 6(4), 531- Reactions, reflections, projections. Developmental 814. Review, 13, 471-502. Kohlberg, L., LaCrosse, J., & Ricks, D. (1972). The pre- Cicchetti, D. (Ed.). (1996). Special issue: Regulatory pro- disability of adult mental health from childhood be- cesses. Development and Psychopathology, 8(1), 1- havior, In B. Wolman (Ed.), Manual of Child Psycho- 305. pathology (pp. 1217-1284). New York: McGraw-Hill. Cicchetti, D., & Schneider-Rosen, K. (1986). An organi- Garmezy, N., & Streitman, S. (1974). Children at risk: zational approach to childhood depression. In M. Rut- The search for antecedents to schizophrenia. Part I: ter, C. Izard, & P. Read (Eds.), Depression in young Conceptual models and research methods. Schizo- people, clinical and developmental perspectives (pp. phrenia Bulletin, 8, 14-90. 71-134). New York: Guilford. Mayr, E. (1964). The evolution of living systems. Pro- Cicchetti, D., & Sroufe, L. A. (1978). An organizational ceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 51, view of affect: Illustration from the study of Down's 934-941.

Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. 26 Sep 2021 at 13:13:17, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use. 600 D. Cicchetti and F. A. Rogosch

Mayr. E. (1988). Toward a new philosophy of biology. Sroufe, L. A. (1989). Psychopathology as developmental Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. deviation. In D. Cicchetti (Ed.). Rttchester symposium Richters, J. E., & Cicchetti, D. (1993). Mark Twain meets on developmental psychopathology. Vol. I: Tlie DSM-III-R: Conduct disorder, development, and the Emergence of a discipline (pp. 15-40). Hillsdale. NJ: concept of harmful dysfunction. Development and Erlbaum. Psychopathology, 5, 5-29. Sroufe. L. A.. Egeland. B., & Krcutzer. T. (1990). The Robins, L. (1966). Deviant children grown up. Baltimore: fate of early experience following developmental Williams & Williams. change: Longitudinal approaches to individual adap- Robins, L, & Rutter, M. (Eds.). (1990). Straight and de- tation in childhood. Child Development. 61, 1363- vious pathways from childhood to adulthood. New 1373. York: Cambridge University Press. Sroufe. L. A.. & Jacobvitz, D. (1989). Diverging path- Rutter, M. (1989). Pathways from childhood to adult life. ways, developmental transfonnations, multiple etiolo- Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 30, gies and the problem of continuity in development. 23-51. Human Development, 32. 196-203. Rutter, M. (1995). Relationships between mental disor- Sroufe. L. A.. & Rutter. M. (1984). The domain of devel- ders in childhood and adulthood. Acta Psychiatrica opmental psychopathology. Child Development. 55. Scandinavica, 91, 73-85. 17-29. Sameroff, A. (1989). Models of developmental regula- von Bertalanffy, L. (1968). General system theory. New tion: The environtype. In D. Cicchetti (Ed.). The York: Braziller. emergence of discipline, Rochester symposium on de- Waddington. C. H. (1957). Tlie strategy of genes. Lon- velopmental psychopathology (Vol. 1, pp. 41-68). don: Allen and Unwin. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Waters, E. & Sroufe. L A. (1983). Competence as a de- Sroufe, L. A. (1986). Bowlby's contribution to psychoan- velopmental construct. Developmental Review, 3, alytic theory and developmental psychology; Attach- 79-97. ment: Separation: Loss. Journal of Child Psychology Wilden. A. (1980). System am! structure. London: Tavis- and Psychiatry, 27, 841-849. tock.

Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. 26 Sep 2021 at 13:13:17, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use.