In dynamic systems theory, an individual is viewed as a complex, multi-component system that self-organizes patterns of movement from the interaction of many subsystems& [the] motor development is considered a process of self-organization, brought about by the interaction between multiple factors (Lloyd, 209). The three different concepts that make up the dynamic systems theory: are attractors, self-organization, and control parameters. Each is important in their own way and contributes to the dynamic definition of multiple sub-systems in interacting together. The concept of attractors is a fallback of movement or decision that the individual is the most comfortable with. For example, when a baby is learning how to walk and when they fall, they resort back to crawling as their form of movement to get them from point A to point B. Self-organization is the adaptation of conforming to the behavior over a period of time. For example, when a baby starts having tummy time and eventually can go from being on their back to rolling over on their stomach by themselves. It does not take a motivation factor like with control
parameters for them to accomplish the goal, but it does evolve over time for them to reach the end result. The last concept of dynamic systems are control parameters. A control parameter does not control the change in behavior but rather acts as a catalyst for reorganizing behavior (Jostad & Patnaik, n.d.). No matter what occurs between the individual and their environment, the control parameter will always remain a constant. If one component of the sub-system is altered by any degree, it would cause a shift within the whole system transitioning into new motor behavior. Control parameters is the best concept of dynamic systems theory that supports the superiority of DST in comparison to the other theories for motor development, especially with maturation theory in particular. Control parameters involve multiple sub-systems working together to achieve the task at hand and if one sub-system is off in any way it would affect the end motor behavior. The three components with control parameters that assist in a babys ability to progress from crawling to walking are walking surface, their motivation, and muscle strength.