That is called "Gradualism" (the alternate being "Punctuated Equilibrium").
The theory of rapid evolution rather than over a very long time.
The General Theory of Evolution posits that change occurs not only 'within' a species, but also 'across' species. In this way, change is actually unlimited in the sense that, given the right circumstances and given the right environmental pressures, any form of biological life could eventually be pushed from one species to another. A lizard could be pushed into the form of a bird; a whale could be pushed into the form of a wolf. So, as we take a look at the General Theory of Evolution (AKA Macroevolution)
Darwin's classic theory of evolution assumed that evolution is a slow, contunuous process, by which new species evolve and emerge. This is referred to at times as "organic evolution" and the "synthetic theory of evolution", or just the Darwinian theory of evolution. A newer theory, proposed originally by Niles Eldridge and Stephen Jay Gould is known as "punctuated equilibria", a model in which the evloution of new species occurs only periodically, in relatively rapid spurts. See "Time Frames the Rethinking of Darwinian Evolution and the Theory of Punctuated Equilibraia, Simon & Schuster, 1985"AnswerThe slow, constant process has also been called "gradualism."
Simple statement I often use to illustrate the definition of the theory of evolution by natural selection proceeded by the definition of evolution itself. Evolution is the change in allele frequency over time in a population of organisms. Natural selection is the nonrandom survival and reproductive success of randomly varying replicating organisms.
Gradualism is the theory that evolution occurs slowly and consistently along periods of time. On the other hand, punctuated equilibrium is the theory that evolution does not occurs for long periods of time and then suddenly evolves rapidly in a small short period of time.
Equilibria
The theory that evolution occurs during short periods of rapid change is punctuated equilibrium. This theory suggests that most species remain relatively unchanged for long periods, with bursts of significant change happening over short periods of time. This contrasts with the gradualism theory, which proposes that evolution occurs at a slow and constant rate.
The theory of evolution is the overarching scientific framework that explains how biological evolution occurs. Biological evolution refers specifically to the change in inherited characteristics of populations over generations. Biological evolution is the observed process that supports the theory of evolution.
One is that evolution occurs gradually and consistently.The other is that evolution occurs as a result of competition for 'niches'
A model of evolution showing slow change is gradualism. It proposes that evolution occurs slowly and steadily over time, with species gradually diverging from common ancestors through small, incremental changes. This contrasts with punctuated equilibrium, which suggests that evolution occurs in relatively rapid bursts of change separated by long periods of stability.
The gradualism model of evolution suggests that evolution occurs slowly and continuously over long periods of time through accumulation of small, incremental changes. In contrast, the punctuated equilibrium model proposes that evolution occurs in rapid bursts of change followed by long periods of stasis, with new species appearing suddenly in the fossil record.
Gradualism. This theory proposes that evolution occurs gradually over many generations through small, incremental changes in populations.
The model for the slow ongoing process of evolution is called gradualism. It suggests that evolutionary change occurs gradually over long periods of time through the accumulation of small, incremental changes in populations. This contrasts with punctuated equilibrium, which suggests that evolution occurs in short bursts of rapid change followed by long periods of stability.
population
Stephen Jay Gould proposed the theory of punctuated equilibrium, which suggests that evolution occurs in short bursts of rapid change followed by long periods of stability. This challenged the traditional view of gradual evolution proposed by Darwin. Gould's work helped to broaden our understanding of the pace and mechanisms of evolutionary change.
The model for slow changes of evolution over time is known as gradualism. This model proposes that evolution occurs gradually through small, incremental changes in species over long periods of time, resulting in the development of new species. This contrasts with the theory of punctuated equilibrium, which suggests that evolution can also occur through rapid bursts of change followed by long periods of stability.
This concept is known as Punctuated Equilibrium. A theory developed by Steven J Gould and Niles Eldridge.