Phases in Stages

I happen to think that there are phases within stages. My view is pretty simple. Each stage begins with a learning phase when one learns the rules. I refer to this as the fundamentalist phase. Next is the competence phase. The last phase is the exit phase.

Most of you probably don't have a clue as to what I'm referring to so here's a little background..

I'm one of those annoying psychology buffs and I think everyone should be familiar with developmental psychology. I was introduced as a college freshman and really loved the experiments and conclusions of Jean Piaget. I didn't get a degree in psychology, but my interests in sociology and psychology have remained.

Several years ago I became enthused with the works of Ken Wilber and was really into the whole integral scene. I later found myself rather disillusioned, but it did have a lasting affect to my personal philosophy. Today I like to describe myself as post-integral, at least to those familiar with that context. But that's all a long story in itself, I'll get back to the point of this blog now.

Spiral Dynamics offers an interesting perspective of developmental theory. I tend to agree with the criticisms of Michel Bauwens and Chris Cowan, but that's still a little off-subject so I'll circle back to the beginning.

Each stage of the Spiral Dynamics model can easily be divided into three phases:

In the beginning phase the person is basically a fundamentalist zealot wherein one is preoccupied with learning and mastering the view of the stage. There is no room for contrary views and the authority(ies) on the matter reign supreme. Any challenge to the perspective is considered heresy as it threatens to undermine to mental construct that requires great effort to build.

The second phase is relative competence and the rigid view is loosened to allow for critical thinking to be applied to the perspective. Strict literalism and dogmatism loosen to allow for more metaphorical interpetations as identification with the stage is firmly established to the point where contrary views are no longer threatening.

The third phase is mastery of the present stage along with the emergence of the next stage where one begins to appreciate the limits of the present level. The truths of the stage can now be seen as relative and valid criticism may be incorporated. The view is no longer the exclusive perspective and intellectual sense of identity.