Chapter 1 An Introduction to Lifespan Development 15
Continuity Versus Discontinuity
Have you heard stories about yourself from when you were a young child?
Do you remember kindergarten? What were some of your experiences and feel-
ings in elementary school? How are you similar to the person you were as a
seventh grader? Some who study human development believe that people are
essentially the same from birth to death. Personalities remain intact. People who
are quick to explore the world around them remain so. Those who are hesitant
around new people and experiences stay that way. Although people grow and
change, they essentially stay the same. Developmental changes are relatively
slow, but steady. This process of development is called continuity for its stable
nature.
Perhaps development is not continuous and slow. Possibly, development
happens instead as the result of sudden changes that occur throughout the life-
span. A child enters preschool. At this abrupt change in his or her daily routine,
the child reacts and makes strides toward becoming more independent. Perhaps
other changes such as a parental divorce, the death of a sibling, or a move to
another city further promote the child’s independence, 1-10. This process of
development, spurred by abrupt changes, is called discontinuity.
Both continuities and discontinuities
are likely to affect a person’s develop-
ment throughout the lifespan. You may
be born with certain tendencies, but as
each of you experiences different life
events, you change and adapt as neces-
sary. A person’s hesitancy toward new
experiences may change as he or she
encounters new experiences that are not
chosen. Anger problems may become
continuous as a person faces new expe-
riences that trigger similar emotional
responses. Perhaps these same anger
responses may be thwarted when a
negative consequence, such as losing
a friendship, occurs as a result of an
emotional response.
Pedagogy Versus Andragogy
Babies develop into children. Children
grow and mature into teens. Teens become
adults. Who directs this development?
Does development occur naturally? Do
others such as parents or caregivers lead
development? Some people believe that
human growth and development relies
heavily on another person guiding or
mentoring learning. This teacher- or
parent-directed method of learning is
often referred to as pedagogy.
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1-10
Moving away from your school and friends can
be an abrupt change in life.