Divergence And Discontinuous Change In Levinson's Stages Of Development

The models demonstrate both convergence and divergence in terms of their structuring of change over time. From an initial assessment, each theory could likely be characterized as stressing discontinuous change over continuous (incremental) change, since each implies transformations (or turning points) that produce discontinuities in the organization of a structure (Lightfoot et al., 2013; Schulenberg et al., 2004). However, upon closer inspection, each model present aspects of continuous change as well. In Erikson’s model, stages involve the ego working to synthesize pairs of opposite impulses and behaviors, with the conflict reaching a crisis, at which point resolving the polarity leads to healthy development and ego strength, and failing to do so results in unhealthy, unresolved infantile conflicts. Arnett, by contrast, is enthused by the notion of a “stage” of development, but emphasizes gradual accumulation of adult roles and competencies that slowly result in the acquisition of adulthood status; he posits no distinct turning point or crisis, leaving us with the question of how he demarcates a stage.