Final answer:
Continuous development is the view that development is a cumulative process where individuals gradually improve on existing skills. It contrasts with discontinuous development, which sees changes as sudden and stage-based. Continuous development is supported by observations of gradual, individualized progress influenced by genetics and environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Researchers who support the continuous development view in psychology believe that human development is a gradual, cumulative process. According to this perspective, individuals continuously build upon and improve their existing skills over time. This is akin to a child's physical growth, where increments in height are added progressively each year.
Continuous development is characterized by a smooth and gradual transition, with changes occurring over an extended period. This contrasts with discontinuous development, where changes tend to be abrupt and occur at specific times or stages, like an infant suddenly grasping the concept of object permanence.
The continuous development approach aligns with observations in developmental psychology that, while certain milestones and patterns are nearly universal, individual progress is shaped by a cumulative interaction of genetics and environment. This interaction influences the unique developmental course for each person, notwithstanding universal patterns such as the sequence of language acquisition.