What do theorists who perceive development as discontinuous believe?

Theorists who perceive development as discontinuous argue that human development takes place in distinct, separate stages, each characterized by different capacities or abilities. This perspective contrasts with a continuous view of development, which sees growth as a smooth, incremental process. The notion of distinct stages suggests that during certain periods in an individual's life, they face unique challenges and changes that cannot be predicted solely based on earlier stages.

For example, developmental theorists like Sigmund Freud and Jean Piaget proposed stage theories where individuals progress through clearly defined phases, such as the transition from preoperational to concrete operational thinking in Piaget's framework. Each stage presents its own challenges and learning opportunities that fundamentally differ from those in other stages, emphasizing the idea of development having distinct, qualitative leaps rather than gradual changes.