Question

The textbook discusses the different stages of the life cycle. Discuss how difficult it is to determine when each stage begins and ends, using biological, cognitive, and psychosocial criteria. Contrast this discontinuity perspective with the continuity perspective. Which perspective do you favor? Please include two references

Answer 1

There is a dilemma within many psychologists, if to name development as a continuous or a discontinuous process.

• Psychologists who agree with the continuous version, agree to the fact that development is a gradual change that is supposed to happen throughout life span such that the earlier stages form the basis of personality or skills that will be seen in the later stages of life.
• Some psychologists believe that development is a discontinuous process, saying that different behaviour occurs at different stages in life and the fact that the way of thinking present in each stage are definitive to that stage itself. Also, that certain ways of thinking develop suddenly in life.

I believe with the continuity phenomenon, that with the changes in life and phases, a person’s behaviour adapts and changes carrying forward past experiences and incorporating them into present situations occurring at every stage.