Dynamical systems theory is now being extensively utilized in physics, chemistry, and biology to explore the emergence of pattern and order in inanimate and animate complex systems. A central principle of this perspective is that a dynamical complex system is assembled as a product of the interactions of the elements of the system in a particular context. The early organization of the human brain is a prototypical example of a hierarchically structured complex system that is dynamically assembled and expresses a capacity to evolve toward a state of higher organization. In this chapter I offer evidence to show that the context in which the infant's brain develops, especially the early-developing right hemisphere, is within the emotion-transacting relationship with the primary caregiver. Referring to my work on the neurobiology of emotional development, I will suggest that three dynamical systems concepts – state changes, self-organization, and the central role of energy flows – must not be used only as metaphors but rather directly incorporated in their literal form into the core of models of human development.

A fundamental focus of nonlinear dynamical systems theory is the modeling of complex patterns of state changes in all physical and biological systems. This clearly implies that the basic unit of analysis of the process of human development is not changes in behavior, cognition, or even affect, but rather the ontogenetic appearance of more and more complex psychobiological states that underlie these state-dependent emergent functions (Schore, 1994).