Which developmental issue explores if there is just one pathway of development or multiple pathways?

The universal versus context-specific developmental issue directly addresses whether development follows a single, universal pathway applicable to all individuals or whether it consists of multiple pathways influenced by different contexts and experiences. This concept is fundamental to understanding human development, as some theorists argue for a universal sequence of development stages that all individuals experience, while others suggest that development is shaped by cultural, social, and environmental factors that lead to diverse outcomes.

In contrast, the continuity-discontinuity issue primarily concerns whether development is a gradual, continuous process or a series of distinct stages. Learning theory focuses on how experiences, particularly through conditioning and reinforcement, shape behavior and development, without directly addressing the pathways of development. Psychodynamic theory centers on internal psychological processes and unconscious influences on behavior, rather than on the question of developmental pathways per se.

Thus, the correct answer highlights the key debate regarding the nature of development as either a single trajectory or a multifaceted process influenced by varying contexts.