When a psychologist claims that developmental processes occur rapidly and are marked by distinct periods, the psychologist most likely supports which theories of development?

The answer is stages theories of development.

Explanation:

Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget established a model of human development divided in four different stages. Most of the stages occur from birth to childhood.

In order, these are:

Sensorimotor stage (0-2 years): children experience the physical world though ther senses.Preoperational (2-6 years): children learn to use symbols. For example, they might pretend to use a remote control as a microphone.Concrete operational (7-12 years): children can think logically, but need concrete (tangible) references. Forml operational (+12 years): the person is able to imagine hypothetical situations and develop abstract thought.