Which of the following are common criticisms of stage theories of adult development?

• A. They provide too much flexibility in explaining individual differences.
• B. They focus too much on continuous, gradual change rather than distinct stages.
• C. They emphasize the importance of cultural and historical context in shaping development.
• D. They underestimate the variability in individual life experiences and assume development occurs in fixed, universal stages.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that stage theories of adult development propose that individuals progress through a series of distinct, universal stages in a fixed order.
2. Recognize that a common criticism is that these theories often assume development happens uniformly across all individuals, which may not account for personal differences.
3. Note that stage theories tend to underestimate the variability in individual life experiences, meaning they may not fully capture how unique circumstances influence development.
4. Be aware that these theories may overlook the influence of cultural and historical contexts, which can shape development in diverse ways.
5. Conclude that the main criticism is that stage theories assume fixed stages and do not provide enough flexibility to explain individual differences and variability in adult development.