As formulated by Pyotr Kur‚aamich Anokhin (1898-1974), and based on the principle of heterochrony, it holds that development consists of the selective and accelerated maturation of particular structures and functions. Accordingly, prenatal development follows a heterochronous sequence of events to ensure optimal adaptation and survival, especially in the neonatal period. While not an explanatory concept, it does serve to stress that there are environmentally-expectant and environmentally-dependent processes in development, a distinction that continues to have heuristic value in the developmental sciences. Similar to the ‘law of anticipatory maturation’ proffered by the psychologist Leonard Carmichael (1898-1973), it represents a direct challenge to concepts as morphogenesis and organogenesis in which growth and development constitute an orderly sequence of events.
See Adaptation, Experience-dependent processes, Experience-expectant processes, Heterochrony, Morphogenesis, Ontogenetic development, Organogenesis, System