Which view posits that development occurs in distinct stages and is influenced by nurture?

Which view posits that development occurs in distinct stages and is influenced by nurture?

• A. Continuity
• B. Psychoanalytic
• C. Cognitive Development
• D. Discontinuity

Answer: (D)

Development that occurs in distinct steps, with growth at specific points rather than a smooth, gradual change, is described as discontinuous development. When we add the idea that the environment—influence from nurture—can shape how and when a person moves through those stages, it reinforces that view: changes happen in leaps through stages, and experiences and surroundings help determine how those leaps unfold. That combination is what makes discontinuity the best fit. Continuity would be about gradual, steady change over time, not sharp stage-like shifts. Psychoanalytic and cognitive development are theories that can involve stages in some respects, but the label that most directly captures both stage-based changes and environmental influence is discontinuity.

Development that occurs in distinct steps, with growth at specific points rather than a smooth, gradual change, is described as discontinuous development. When we add the idea that the environment—influence from nurture—can shape how and when a person moves through those stages, it reinforces that view: changes happen in leaps through stages, and experiences and surroundings help determine how those leaps unfold. That combination is what makes discontinuity the best fit.

Continuity would be about gradual, steady change over time, not sharp stage-like shifts. Psychoanalytic and cognitive development are theories that can involve stages in some respects, but the label that most directly captures both stage-based changes and environmental influence is discontinuity.