Spiral Dynamics

<h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading" lang="en">Spiral Dynamics</h1>

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<p><i><b>Spiral Dynamics</b></i> is a theory of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolutionary_psychology" title="Evolutionary psychology">human development</a> introduced in the 1996 book <i>Spiral Dynamics</i> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Beck%28management_consultant%29" title="Don Beck (management consultant)">Don Beck</a> and Chris Cowan. The book was based on the theory of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology" title="Psychology">psychology</a> professor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_W.Graves" title="Clare W. Graves">Clare W. Graves</a>.

<i>Spiral Dynamics</i> argues that human nature is not fixed: humans are able, when forced by life conditions, to adapt to their environment by constructing new, more complex, conceptual <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_%28abstract%29" title="Model (abstract)" class="mw-redirect">models</a> of the world that allow them to handle the new problems.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-1">[1]</a></sup> Each new model transcends and includes all previous models. According to Beck and Cowan, these conceptual models are organized around so-called <sup>v</sup>Memes: systems of core values or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_intelligence" title="Collective intelligence">collective intelligences</a>, applicable to both individuals and entire cultures.

In spiral dynamics, the term <sup>v</sup>Meme refers to a core <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_system" title="Value system">value system</a>, acting as an organizing principle, which expresses itself through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme" title="Meme">memes</a> (self-propagating ideas, habits, or cultural practices). The prepended and superscripted letter <i>v</i> indicates these are not basic memes but value systems which include them. The colors act as reminders for the Life Conditions and Mind Capacities of each system and alternate between cool and warm colors as a part of the model.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-2">[2]</a></sup> Within the model, individuals and cultures do not fall clearly in any single category (color). Each person/culture embodies a mixture of the value patterns, with varying degrees of intensity in each. Spiral Dynamics claims not to be a linear or hierarchical model, although this assertion has been contested.<sup class="Template-Fact" >[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</sup>

According to Spiral Dynamics, there are infinite stages of progress and regression over time dependent upon the life circumstances of the person/culture, which are constantly in flux. Attaining higher stages of development is not synonymous with attaining a 'better' or 'more correct' values system. All stages co-exist in both healthy and unhealthy states, whereby any stage of development can lead to undesirable outcomes with respect to the health of the human and social environment.<sup class="Template-Fact" >[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</sup></p>

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<h2>Contents</h2>

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<ul>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Memes">1 Memes</a>

<ul>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-2"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Beige">1.1 Beige</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-3"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Purple">1.2 Purple</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-6"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Orange">1.5 Orange</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-7"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Green">1.6 Green</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-8"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Yellow">1.7 Yellow</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-9"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Turquoise">1.8 Turquoise</a></li>

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</li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-10"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Further_development">2 Further development</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-11"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Pathologies">3 Pathologies</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-12"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Criticisms_of_Spiral_Dynamics">4 Criticisms of Spiral Dynamics</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-14"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#References">6 References</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-15"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#Bibliography">7 Bibliography</a></li>

<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-16"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#External_links">8 External links</a></li>

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<h2>Memes</h2>

<p>First tier Meme levels are focused on different themes for existence, and include almost all of the worldviews, cultures, and mental attitudes up to today. New systems build on adaptations of previous levels and seek to solve problems created by living in those earlier ways. (Attaching concrete examples to these levels of psychological existence is difficult and often misleading because (a) there can be multiple reasons for the same behavior and (b) centralization in a single level regarding all aspects of living is rare. Some advocates of Spiral Dynamics argue that these are ways of thinking about things, not types of people. However, Spiral Dynamics does explicitly define a category of people labeled "Spiral Wizards" who have attained equilibrium around "higher level" Memes.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-3">[3]</a></sup></p>

<h3 class="">Beige</h3>

<ul>

<li>Summary: Archaic-instinctive—survivalistic/automatic/reflexological</li>

<li>Time of origin: c. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Paleolithic" title="Middle Paleolithic">100,000 BC</a></li>

<li>Description: "Express self to meet imperative physiological needs through instincts of <i>Homo sapiens</i>."</li>

</ul>

<h3 class="">Purple</h3>

<ul>

<li>Summary: Animistic-tribalistic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_%28paranormal%29" title="Magic (paranormal)">magical</a>-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animism" title="Animism">animistic</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribal" title="Tribal" class="mw-redirect">Tribal</a> order</li>

<li>Time of origin: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Paleolithic" title="Middle Paleolithic">50,000 BC</a></li>

<li>Description: "Sacrifice to the ways of the elders and customs as one subsumed in group." This is the level of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_society" title="Traditional society">traditional cultures</a>.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li>Summary: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egocentric" title="Egocentric" class="mw-redirect">Egocentric</a>-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exploitation" title="Exploitation">exploitive</a> power gods/dominionist</li>

<li>Time of origin: 7000 BC</li>

<li>Description: "Express self (impulsively) for what self desires without <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilt_%28emotion%29" title="Guilt (emotion)">guilt</a> and to avoid <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shame" title="Shame">shame</a>." Expressed by the mentality of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Street_gang" title="Street gang" class="mw-redirect">street gangs</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking" title="Viking" class="mw-redirect">Vikings</a>, etc.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li>Summary: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_monarchy" title="Absolute monarchy">Absolutistic</a>-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obedience_%28human_behavior%29" title="Obedience (human behavior)">obedience</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythic" title="Mythic" class="mw-redirect">mythic</a> order—purposeful/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authoritarian" title="Authoritarian" class="mw-redirect">authoritarian</a></li>

<li>Time of origin: c. 3000 BC</li>

<li>Description: "Sacrifice self for reward to come through obedience to rightful authority in purposeful Way." Embodied by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamentalism" title="Fundamentalism">fundamentalist religions</a>.</li>

</ul>

<h3 class="">Orange</h3>

<ul>

<li>Summary: Multiplistic-achievist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science" title="Science">scientific</a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strategy" title="Strategy">strategic</a></li>

<li>Time of origin: c. 1000 AD on (as early as 600 AD according to Graves and Calhoun)</li>

<li>Description: "Express self (calculatedly) to reach goals and objectives without rousing the ire of important others." Expressed in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_Revolution" title="Scientific Revolution" class="mw-redirect">Scientific Revolution</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Revolution" title="Industrial Revolution">Industrial Revolution</a>.</li>

</ul>

<h3 class="">Green</h3>

<ul>

<li>Summary: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativism" title="Relativism">Relativistic</a>-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individualism" title="Individualism">personalistic</a>—<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communitarian" title="Communitarian" class="mw-redirect">communitarian</a>/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egalitarian" title="Egalitarian" class="mw-redirect">egalitarian</a></li>

<li>Time of origin: From 1850 on (surged in early 20th century)</li>

<li>Description: "Sacrifice self-interest now in order to gain acceptance and group harmony." Expressed in 1960s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluralism_%28political_theory%29" title="Pluralism (political theory)">pluralism</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_theory" title="Systems theory">systems theory</a>.</li>

</ul>

<p>Spiral Dynamics theory sees second tier <sup>v</sup>memes as emerging levels that gradually move away from a focus on subsistence-level concerns of the First Tier, and towards a being-level existence. The existence of two different tiers of psychological development was introduced by the founder Graves. Cowan claims it is possible Graves introduced the tier system as a marketing instrument. Up to today there is no research evidence the two tiers exist. Cowan no longer supports the existence of two tiers but claims the only thing now known about the Yellow and Turquoise systems is that they are more complex versions of Orange and Green. The open-ended theory suggests that the levels Coral and beyond are not yet substantially formed and will solidify as a greater portion of society develops towards those memes.</p>

<h3 class="">Yellow</h3>

<ul>

<li>Summary: Systemic-integrative</li>

<li>Time of origin: 1950s</li>

<li>Description: "Express self not for what self desires, but to avoid harm to others so that all life, not just own life, will benefit."</li>

</ul>

<h3 class="">Turquoise</h3>

<ul>

<li>Summary: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holistic" title="Holistic" class="mw-redirect">Holistic</a></li>

<li>Time of origin: 1970s</li>

<li>Description: An integrative system which combines an organism's necessary self-interest with the interests of the communities in which it participates. The theory is still forming.</li>

</ul>

<h2 class="">Further development</h2>

<p>The colour system was added in the 1970s as a graphic element to decorate training materials used by Cowan and Beck. The term <sup>v</sup>Meme was introduced by Beck and Cowan in <i>Spiral Dynamics</i> where the color language replaced original Graves terminology. Graves had used letter pairs to refer to each level and had not considered any connection with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memetics" title="Memetics">memetics</a>. Beck and Cowan emphasized 'change states' which are part of the Graves theory. They identify landmarks on the transformational path between the levels. Graves' original theory uses a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_helix" title="Double helix" class="mw-redirect">double helix</a> model to show the interrelatedness of an individual's perception of life conditions with their inner neuronal systems, producing a level of psychological existence. This double helix of two interacting forces is referred to as a spiral in 'Spiral Dynamics<i>.</i>

Following the release of their book, Beck and Cowan taught this theory in two courses, SDI and SDII. They ceased their formal working relationship in 1999.<sup class="Template-Fact" >[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</sup> Since this break both have continued to offer training courses of various types as well as carrying out consultancy work. Beck spent several years applying the theory of Spiral Dynamics while working with individuals and groups in South Africa involved in the transition from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid" title="Apartheid" class="mw-redirect">Apartheid</a><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-5">[5]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-6">[6]</a></sup> for which he received a legislative honor from the state of Texas.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-7">[7]</a></sup> Beck has continued to facilitate sessions using the model in both business and politics.<sup id="cite_ref-ABC_8-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-ABC-8">[8]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Haaretz_9-0" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-Haaretz-9">[9]</a></sup> Loraine Laubscher has continued the work in South Africa.

Beck and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Wilber" title="Ken Wilber">Ken Wilber</a> (with his integral theory) became interested in each other's work, resulting in Beck developing a branch of spiral dynamics that he calls Spiral Dynamics Integral (SDi). This version of the theory uses integral concepts such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AQAL#Quadrants" title="AQAL" class="mw-redirect">four quadrants</a>. Beck is also associated with the spiritual teacher, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Cohen_%28spiritual_teacher%29" title="Andrew Cohen (spiritual teacher)">Andrew Cohen</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-10">[10]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-11">[11]</a></sup> This approach continues to be applied and further developed in organisational and societal contexts.

Cowan does not subscribe to these developments and promotes a version of the theory which he describes as remaining more faithful to the original research of Clare Graves and extending from it. He continues to use the term 'Spiral Dynamics' to describe his work since he co-created it. With his partner, Natasha Todorovic, he has undertaken work in integrating Spiral Dynamics with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuro-linguistic_programming" title="Neuro-linguistic programming">NLP</a> and other models, and in developing corporate strategy and practical applications. He has also suggested an additional second tier <sup>v</sup>meme Coral which deals with the development of neurological capacities<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics#cite_note-12">[12]</a></sup>

Each of the external websites listed below promotes the organization of one of the two co-authors.</p>

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Spiral Dynamics

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