Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson agreed that what must happen before moving on to the next developmental stage?

• A. Each developmental stage needed to be resolved
• B. Stages occur independently
• C. Crises are never resolved
• D. Final maturation is reached before progressing

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is that moving on to the next stage requires resolving the central issue of the current stage. Freud’s psychosexual theory holds that each stage centers on a specific instinct and its accompanying conflict; when that conflict is resolved, energy can be redirected toward healthy development in the next stage. Erikson’s psychosocial theory describes each stage as a crisis to be negotiated; successful resolution yields a virtue and prepares you for the next challenge. If a stage isn’t resolved, it can lead to fixation or difficulties later, making progression harder. So the best answer is that each developmental stage needs to be resolved before advancing. The other options don’t fit because stages aren’t truly independent, crises aren’t never resolved, and progression isn’t about reaching final maturation before moving forward.