Which family theory describes a series of tasks for the family throughout its life span?

• A. Erikson's psychosocial development theory
• B. Duvall's developmental theory
• C. Bowlby's attachment theory
• D. Kohlberg's theory of moral development

Answer: (B)

Family development theory looks at how families move through stages and take on tasks at each stage to adapt to changing roles and relationships. Duvall’s model is the classic version of this idea, outlining an eight-stage family life cycle—from forming a married couple and establishing a home to parenting children, guiding adolescents, launching into independence, and eventually aging together. Each stage comes with typical tasks the family should accomplish to stay healthy and connected, which explains why this theory describes a sequence of tasks across the family’s life span.

Other theories focus more on individuals rather than the family unit. Erikson’s psychosocial development describes personal social-emotional crises across a person’s life, Bowlby’s attachment theory centers on bonds between child and caregiver, and Kohlberg’s theory covers moral reasoning in individuals. The option that emphasizes a series of family tasks across the life span aligns with Duvall’s family developmental theory.