Question: The view that development is a cumulative process, gradually adding to the same type of skills is known as ________.

Answer: Continuous development

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Continuous development is a perspective that views human growth as a cumulative and gradual process. In this view, development involves the steady improvement of existing skills over time, rather than abrupt shifts. For instance, a child's consistent increase in height year after year exemplifies this smooth progression.

Continuous Development

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

A child's physical growth, such as gradually adding inches to their height each year, serves as a clear example of continuous development. This illustrates the perspective that development is a cumulative process characterized by slow and steady change rather than abrupt stages.

Example of Continuous Development: Physical Growth

A researcher is studying how a child learns to read. The researcher observes that the child's vocabulary grows by a few new words each week, and their ability to sound out unfamiliar words improves incrementally with each book they read. The researcher also notes the moment the child suddenly grasps the concept of silent letters, a realization that changes how they approach many words. Which of these observations best illustrates the view that development is a gradual and cumulative process?

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