Final answer:
The theorist described believes development happens gradually through accumulating experiences, which indicates a continuity-based view on development, opposing theories like those of Piaget that suggest stage-based, discontinuous development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theorist mentioned in the question holds a predominantly continuity based view. This view, known as continuous development, considers development as a cumulative process where skills and knowledge are gradually built upon through experiences over many years. It emphasizes a gradual change rather than distinct stages associated with age ranges.
Continuous development contrasts with discontinuous development—exemplified by theorists like Jean Piaget, who believed that cognitive abilities develop through specific, stage-based sequences leading to sudden changes in cognitive processes. The continuous view, however, sees development as the accumulation of experiences, leading to a steady progression of abilities, such as the thoughtful reflectiveness described in the student's question.