The interdisciplinary field of developmental science showed a significant progress in the last decades. This progress has changed the view on the ways of thinking about the study of human development, having a strong impact in the research designs. This article aims to discuss basic concepts and principles that recently guide the definition of the human development concept such as structure, temporality, changes and continuities. It is also emphasized the necessity of adopting a systemic approach to study the developmental process. It means that it is important to analyze the complex and integrated systems considering the genetic, neural, behavioral, and environmental (physical, social, and cultural) levels interacting across time and forming probabilistic trajectories of development.
developmental science; interdisciplinary research; cultural and biological factors; life course