Question

Stacey and Juan are taking a general psychology class and are studying for the upcoming exam, which includes topics on development. Stacey believes that cognitive development is a gradual process, while Juan thinks that cognitive development can happen overnight, sort of like a light bulb coming on in a child's mind. Which of the three major developmental issues are they debating?

Answer 1

One of the three major development issues that Stacey and Juan are debating is called “continuity and stages”. The study of developmental psychology includes a person's thoughts, feelings, and behaviour and the changes of each of them. In this case, the development issue that Stacey and Juan are debating makes reference to the one which analyzes the two different views of development. On the one hand, development is considered as a continuous process that is gradual and cumulative (CONTINUITY, what Stacey argues). On the other hand, development is viewed as consisting of different stages (STAGES, what Juan argues).