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Developmental stage theories

In psychology, developmental stage theories are theories that divide psychological development into distinct stages which are characterized by qualitative differences in behavior.[1]

There are several different views about psychological and physical development and how they proceed throughout the life span. The two main psychological developmental theories include continuous and discontinuous development.[2] In addition to individual differences in development, developmental psychologists generally agree that development occurs in an orderly way and in different areas simultaneously.[3]

Each stage is qualitatively different; it is a change in nature, not just quantity;

Each stage lays the foundation for the next;

Everyone goes through the stages in the same order.