Exploring the continuity vs. discontinuity debate in developmental psychology, this overview examines how humans change throughout life. Continuous development is seen as a gradual progression, while discontinuous development occurs in distinct stages. Theories by Vygotsky, Piaget, Kohlberg, Erikson, and Freud are discussed, alongside research methods and practical implications for education.
Show More
Continuous development is a gradual and cumulative process marked by incremental changes
Stage Theories
Stage theories propose that development occurs in distinct and qualitatively different stages
Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Research
Cross-sectional research compares different age groups at the same time, while longitudinal research follows individuals over time to observe developmental changes
An integrative approach acknowledges the complexity of development and combines elements of both continuous and discontinuous perspectives
Lev Vygotsky's theory emphasizes the role of social interaction and cultural tools in learning
Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development
Jean Piaget's theory proposes that development occurs in distinct stages, each with its own cognitive tasks
Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg's theory suggests that individuals progress through a series of moral stages as they mature
Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development
Erik Erikson's theory outlines eight stages of psychosocial development, each with its own developmental tasks
Freud's Psychosexual Stages
Sigmund Freud's theory proposes that individuals progress through five stages of psychosexual development, each with its own focus on different body parts
Educators can use insights from both continuous and discontinuous perspectives to create effective and developmentally appropriate learning environments
00
______ psychology examines the changes humans undergo throughout their lifespan.
Developmental
01
The debate in developmental psychology about progression in life is between ______ and ______ development.
continuous
discontinuous
02
Characteristics of continuous development
Progressive, cumulative, incremental, quantitative changes; learning shapes development.
