Kohlberg, Erikson, and Maslow's theories are described as epigenetic in nature, meaning each stage emerges from the one before it.

• A. Epigenetic
• B. Cognitive
• C. Behavioral
• D. Social Constructivist

Answer: (A)

Development unfolds in a sequence where each stage builds on the previous one, rather than developing in isolation. Kohlberg, Erikson, and Maslow all present stage theories in which reaching later stages depends on having moved through earlier ones, so progression is episodic and hierarchical rather than isolated or purely linear in a cognitive or behavioral sense.

In Kohlberg’s view, moral reasoning shifts from self-centered considerations to adherence to social rules and finally to principled reasoning, with each stage representing a qualitatively different way of thinking about right and wrong. Erikson lays out psychosocial crises that must be resolved in order as a person matures, shaping the next challenges and identities. Maslow’s hierarchy suggests that basic needs must be addressed before higher-level motivations, culminating in self-actualization. This pattern—stages that emerge from and depend on prior stages—captures the epigenetic idea in developmental psychology.

That’s why the term Epigenetic best fits. It emphasizes the developmental sequencing and dependency between stages, rather than focusing on cognitive processes, behavior alone, or social construction of knowledge.