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Developmental stage theories

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Main article: Developmental stages


One of the major controversies in developmental psychology centres around whether development is continuous or discontinous[1]. Stage theories of development rest on the assumption that development is a discontinuous process involving distinct stages which are characterised by qualitative differences in behaviour [2]. Stage theories can be contrasted with continuous theories, which posit that development is a incremental process [3].

There are many stage theories in developmental psychology including:

While some of these theories focus primarily on the healthy development of children, others propose stages that are characterized by a maturity rarely reached before old age.


[edit] References

  1. White, F., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2005). Developmental Psychology: From Infancy to Adulthood. NSW:Pearson Education Australia
  2. Ibid.
  3. Ibid.
  4. Ibid.
  5. Ibid.
  6. Kohlberg, L. (1987). The measurement of moral judgement.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  7. Maslow, A.H. (1987). Motivation and personality (3rd ed.), New York: Harper & Row.


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