Abstract In the past 30 years the field of developmental psychopathology has emerged as a highly influential approach to understanding human development, including both normal development and the development of psychopathology. This chapter begins with a consideration of the definition of the field, the gaps it addresses in the study of child psychopathology, theoretical assumptions about the nature of human development, and its relation with other disciplines such as developmental science. The key conceptual components of developmental psychopathology are then examined. These include a dynamic, process‐oriented perspective on the development of psychopathology, the notions of developmental pathways and resilience, and the importance of considering both risk and protective factors. Another conceptual component is that the evaluation of what is considered disordered or adaptive must take into account the context in which the pattern occurs–for instance, the family and community. The implications for prevention, intervention, diagnosis, and classification are also discussed. We close with a consideration of new directions and emerging themes in the field.
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