Stages of Personal Development
9/20/10: If you read enough of the theory and research in psychology, you can start to see significant overlap in stages related to biological, social, and psychological development. Over the past year I have focused on a grouping of these that is a constantly emerging theme in my work with my clients. The following is a brief look at how theories from three legends of psychology, who came from very different perspectives, can show us the general direction we need to move toward to become our optimal, and healthiest selves.
Three Stages
The chart below represents an overly-simplified, but useful guide to personal development across the lifespan. Each of these figures in the history of psychology took very different perspectives on this material, but when examined together they are even more informative about life.
There are several principles of these models and the chart below that are important to keep in mind. First, almost everyone goes through these stages for various parts of their lives separately, meaning that one person could be in two or more of these at any given time depending on what part of their life is being examined. Second, the transitions between stages often coincide with biological changes (e.g. the brain's ability to think symbolically develops in adolescence) or important life events, and often have byproducts of stress and tension (growing can be difficult!). Third, once you go to the next one, you pretty much can't go back.
The Experts
William Perry was an expert in cognitive development, particularly looking at the impact of education. Lawrence Kohlberg worked in the area of moral development, creating a highly regarded stage model. Robert A. Johnson is a Jungian analyst and mythologist who wrote an incredible book called "Transformation" on the stages of development of consciousness. As a side note, Kohlberg and Perry each have sub-stages that are not included here.
I. In stage one, we see the world in black and white terms, judge actions by their outcomes (if it turned out well then it was good, or the right to do), and we are focused squarely on ourselves. In this stage people often report it being easy to live, since rules are clear, larger complex systems are not examined, and the level of depth of processing is somewhat superficial. We all begin our lives in this stage just because our brains cannot support more complex thought, but many people remain here throughout their lives. For example, most national level politics happens at this level.
II. The movement to stage two is possible by the brain changes in early adolescence that allow us to see things with greater complexity, and understand that what is right or good, is a subjective experience. In this stage people often report a sense of anxiety and worry about their lives and the world, some people experience depression, and coping with this can take unhealthy forms (addiction, escapism, etc). The level of consciousness here can be quite deep, but the experience of that can be painful at times.
People moving into this stage from stage one often report a sense of loss and confusion, and they may have fantasies about returning to a world view that is simpler and easier to navigate. A way of making moral decisions within the confusion of relativism is to learn the standards and values of society (laws, social norms), and compare actions against these standards. An example of stage two is when we become distressed while considering how things are going at work, raising the kids, money problems, or the war.
III. Many of us spend the majority of their lives in stage two, but a dedicated minority can move into stage three. Here, we commit to personal values that we have grown to believe in from life experience (such as love, justice, health, peace, etc), and use these to guide our actions. Additionally, this stage represents a movement back to the simplistic way of stage one, and a focus on the self. However, we are able to engage the simple things we have to do, while also having the understanding of the complexity of the world and the potential flaws in our own worldviews. This is a major difference from stage one, where the focus is on the self, but the knowledge of the world, and flaws of our way of being, are not yet attained.
People move into stage three through the hard work of building awareness, developing an authentic identity and stable world view that is open to change, and a commitment to personal values. An example of someone in stage three would be an experienced elder that is able to understand the complex nature of the world, but is also able to choose to enjoy and fully engage the simple things that happen each day.
What To Do?
Seeing where the people in our lives (and ourselves) fit in these stages generally can provide new insights into our relationships and ways we see the world. For example, are you in a state of despair about the world and all of the possible paths you can take in your life? If so, that would put you in stage 2, and primed for conflict with people who only see one clear way for you to go (they'd be in stage 1).
From that same perspective think about an accomplished and well balanced elder who may smile and privately remember when things like that were the most important things, rather than enjoying a beautiful summer afternoon. If you just can't understand why other people don't see the clear right and wrong in something like you do, then you are likely in stage 1, and likely pretty frustrated with people that see it a bit differently.
Moving Forward
If you are interested in moving forward through these during your life, the best thing to do is to live in a way that challenge you, and then take the time to deeply examine yourself. If we constantly do the same things, talk with the same people, listen to insular opinions, and stay at the surface, we remain stuck. Having novel and challenging experiences, meeting or learning from people different than us, exposing ourselves to other perspectives, and then really exploring these as completely as possible, helps us transform.
Three Stages
The chart below represents an overly-simplified, but useful guide to personal development across the lifespan. Each of these figures in the history of psychology took very different perspectives on this material, but when examined together they are even more informative about life.
There are several principles of these models and the chart below that are important to keep in mind. First, almost everyone goes through these stages for various parts of their lives separately, meaning that one person could be in two or more of these at any given time depending on what part of their life is being examined. Second, the transitions between stages often coincide with biological changes (e.g. the brain's ability to think symbolically develops in adolescence) or important life events, and often have byproducts of stress and tension (growing can be difficult!). Third, once you go to the next one, you pretty much can't go back.
The Experts
William Perry was an expert in cognitive development, particularly looking at the impact of education. Lawrence Kohlberg worked in the area of moral development, creating a highly regarded stage model. Robert A. Johnson is a Jungian analyst and mythologist who wrote an incredible book called "Transformation" on the stages of development of consciousness. As a side note, Kohlberg and Perry each have sub-stages that are not included here.
I. In stage one, we see the world in black and white terms, judge actions by their outcomes (if it turned out well then it was good, or the right to do), and we are focused squarely on ourselves. In this stage people often report it being easy to live, since rules are clear, larger complex systems are not examined, and the level of depth of processing is somewhat superficial. We all begin our lives in this stage just because our brains cannot support more complex thought, but many people remain here throughout their lives. For example, most national level politics happens at this level.
II. The movement to stage two is possible by the brain changes in early adolescence that allow us to see things with greater complexity, and understand that what is right or good, is a subjective experience. In this stage people often report a sense of anxiety and worry about their lives and the world, some people experience depression, and coping with this can take unhealthy forms (addiction, escapism, etc). The level of consciousness here can be quite deep, but the experience of that can be painful at times.
People moving into this stage from stage one often report a sense of loss and confusion, and they may have fantasies about returning to a world view that is simpler and easier to navigate. A way of making moral decisions within the confusion of relativism is to learn the standards and values of society (laws, social norms), and compare actions against these standards. An example of stage two is when we become distressed while considering how things are going at work, raising the kids, money problems, or the war.
III. Many of us spend the majority of their lives in stage two, but a dedicated minority can move into stage three. Here, we commit to personal values that we have grown to believe in from life experience (such as love, justice, health, peace, etc), and use these to guide our actions. Additionally, this stage represents a movement back to the simplistic way of stage one, and a focus on the self. However, we are able to engage the simple things we have to do, while also having the understanding of the complexity of the world and the potential flaws in our own worldviews. This is a major difference from stage one, where the focus is on the self, but the knowledge of the world, and flaws of our way of being, are not yet attained.
People move into stage three through the hard work of building awareness, developing an authentic identity and stable world view that is open to change, and a commitment to personal values. An example of someone in stage three would be an experienced elder that is able to understand the complex nature of the world, but is also able to choose to enjoy and fully engage the simple things that happen each day.
What To Do?
Seeing where the people in our lives (and ourselves) fit in these stages generally can provide new insights into our relationships and ways we see the world. For example, are you in a state of despair about the world and all of the possible paths you can take in your life? If so, that would put you in stage 2, and primed for conflict with people who only see one clear way for you to go (they'd be in stage 1).
From that same perspective think about an accomplished and well balanced elder who may smile and privately remember when things like that were the most important things, rather than enjoying a beautiful summer afternoon. If you just can't understand why other people don't see the clear right and wrong in something like you do, then you are likely in stage 1, and likely pretty frustrated with people that see it a bit differently.
Moving Forward
If you are interested in moving forward through these during your life, the best thing to do is to live in a way that challenge you, and then take the time to deeply examine yourself. If we constantly do the same things, talk with the same people, listen to insular opinions, and stay at the surface, we remain stuck. Having novel and challenging experiences, meeting or learning from people different than us, exposing ourselves to other perspectives, and then really exploring these as completely as possible, helps us transform.
