Bounded rationality and human development.

The article focuses on a new theory in psychological sciences that explains individual differences in human development through the lens of bounded rationality, a concept introduced by Simon (1955). This theory emphasizes adaptive, restricted search and satisficing—decision-making strategies that do not optimize but are sufficient—contrasting with traditional models that assume unidirectional developmental cascades. It proposes that these processes amplify neurodevelopmental differences and link diverse causal origins to common developmental outcomes, addressing concepts of developmental multifinality and equifinality. The theory advocates for incorporating cognitive and behavioral feedback into models of neurodevelopmental variation and disorders, extending its relevance from early development to lifespan differences including psychopathology and expertise. This preprint has not undergone peer review. [Extracted from the article]