What issue relates to whether developmental changes occur gradually or in distinct stages?

The continuity-discontinuity issue is a critical concept in developmental psychology that addresses the nature of developmental changes throughout the lifespan. This issue revolves around the debate of whether development is a smooth, gradual process (continuity) or if it occurs in distinct stages (discontinuity).

Proponents of continuity argue that development is a cumulative process where early skills and knowledge build on previous ones, resulting in gradual, incremental growth over time. In contrast, the discontinuity perspective emphasizes that development happens in clear, identifiable stages where individuals experience profound changes that are qualitatively different from earlier behaviors or abilities.

This debate has implications for how we understand change across different domains, such as cognitive, social, and emotional development. Understanding whether development occurs continuously or in distinct stages helps researchers and practitioners tailor their approaches to studying human growth and crafting interventions when necessary.

The other options listed, such as universal vs. context-specific developmental issue, the biopsychological framework, and psychosocial theory, relate to different facets of developmental psychology but do not specifically address the question of whether changes occur gradually or in distinct stages.