Spiral dynamics

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Spiral dynamics is an integral theory of human development, developed by Don E. Beck and Chris Cowan, based on the work of professor Clare W. Graves.

Spiral Dynamics is a registered trademark of the National Values Center, Inc.

Table of contents

Overview

The underlying idea of Spiral Dynamics is that human nature is not fixed: humans are able, when forced by circumstances, to adapt to their environment by constructing new, more complex, conceptual models of the world, that allow them to handle the new problems. An important property of these models is that each new one includes and extends all previous models. These conceptual models are organized around ^vMemes: systems of core values or collective intelligences, applicable to both individuals and entire cultures. (Note: the term ^vMeme is used in spiral dynamics for a core value system, acting as an organizing principle, and expressing itself via memes in the traditional sense.)

Pathologies

When discussing memes it is always important to discuss pathologies, each meme has healthy and unhealthy versions. The pathologies are generally referred to as being "mean" as in "Mean Green Meme" (MGM), "Mean Orange Meme" (MOM) - the MOM includes the extremes of capitalism like exploitation, environmental devastation and a general lack of ethics and sensitivity. The MGM includes performative contradictions like anti-hierarchy, anti-competition etc.

First Tier ^vMemes

These memetic levels are mainly focused on survival, and include almost all of the worldviews, cultures, and mental attitudes up to today.

beige - instinctive/survivalistic - from 100000 BC on
purple - magical/animistic - from 50000 BC on
red - impulsive/egocentric - from 7000 BC on
blue - purposeful/authoritarian - from 3000 BC on
orange - achievist/strategic - from 1700 on
green - communitarian/egalitarian - from 1850 on

Second Tier ^vMemes

These are just emerging memetic levels, that gradually move away from the survivalistic self-concern of the First Tier.

yellow - integrative - from 1950s on
turquoise - holistic - from 1970s on

Bibliography

Spiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership, and Change, Don Beck and Christopher Cowan, 1996.

External links

The spiral dynamics homepage (http://www.spiraldynamics.com/)
Don Beck The spiral dynamics group (http://www.spiraldynamics.net/)
Clare W. Graves homepage (http://www.clarewgraves.com)
Chris Cowan National Values Center Consulting (http://www.spiraldynamics.org/)

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