What does ontogeny refer to in the context of selectionism?

In the context of selectionism, ontogeny refers to individual behavior changes throughout an organism's life. This concept involves examining how an individual's experiences, learning history, and environment shape their behavior as they grow and develop. Understanding ontogeny is crucial in applied behavior analysis because it emphasizes the significance of personal history and environmental interactions on behavior, distinguishing it from phylogeny, which pertains to evolutionary changes across generations. This perspective allows practitioners to focus on how specific learning experiences influence individual behavior rather than merely considering hereditary factors or broader cultural influences.