The Dynamic Systems approach to the study of child development provides a new way to study a complex subject. Dynamic systems is defined as "the study of the dynamics, or change and stability, of development in relation to performer systems and environmental and task constraints" (Rodgerson, 2004). In this approach, a period of change, or phase shift, will usually lead to another period of stability, or attractor state (Barton, 1994). When dealing with a subject as complex as a human being, these fluctuations occur in a seemingly chaotic, non-linear, manner (Thelen & Ulrich, 1991). In Tonya's case study, the concepts of phase shifts, attractor states and non-linearity will be used to explain her development.
             Tonya was a trying and difficult student to work with. She was bigger and older than the rest of the kids in her first grade class, she bullied her classmates, and she stole food from their lunches. This behavior earned her a bad reputation with her classmates. Her home life was difficult, due to her mother's illness, and she was unable to eat breakfast at home. As the teacher discovered, this was why she was stealing food. Due to her bad reputation, her classmates did not trust her and were quick to accuse her of stealing, which only served to perpetuate Tonya's misbehavior. In dynamic systems "the particular patterns shown by the system out of the enormous number of possible patterns are said to act as dynamic attractors" (Thelen & Ulrich, 1991). Though this period of Tonya's life may not have been stable, this as an attractor state in Tonya's development because her behavior had become predictable.
             With the teachers help, Tonya was able to find a way to eat breakfast before school. The teacher also helped repair Tonya's reputation by announcing to the class that Tonya had agreed not to steal food from their lunchboxes anymore. By coming to Tonya's aid, and ch...