Thomas Kuhn’s idea that science proceeds in small steps guided by a dominant theory up until such time that the dominant theory fails to account for new data, and is then replaced by a dramatic change in thinking is known as a(n):

Paradigm Shift

Explanation:

A paradigm shift occurs when the dominant scientific theory (of a particular scientific theory) of the time is replaced by a new theory, which can be completely different, of an imporvement over the previous one.

For example, one of the most famous paradigm shifts occurred in cosmology and physics, when Einstein's General Relativity replaced Newton's law of gravity and laws of motion as the central theory to explain the universe.

a. competition with other nations.