Theoretical Issues in Development Answers

Psychologists who favor the theory of continuous development tend to refer to stage theories of development as “discontinuous.”

Which of the following statements concerning the debate between personality change and stability is not correct?

Research indicates that stage theories are more accurate than developmental theories when it comes to assessing developmental changes.

When a psychologist claims that developmental processes occur rapidly and are marked by distinct periods, the psychologist most likely supports which theories of development?

Over the course of an individual’s life, personality is __________.

Which personality trait appears to be stable over the course of a person’s life?

When a psychologist claims that experience and learning are key elements in initiating developmental changes, the psychologist most likely supports which theories of development?

Read the scenario below and answer the question that follows.Brooke, who believes in continuous human development, is reading a paper on famous psychologist Erik Erikson. In Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, children aged 3 to 5 years old struggle with becoming responsible for beginning tasks. Since Brooke believes in continuous human development, which of the following statements would she agree with?

If development does not occur in stages, then it is likely that development can be described as __________.

Temperament is an aspect of personality that often changes throughout someone’s life.