Some would argue that our values remain the same throughout our lives, serving as a foundational compass that guides our choices and actions, while others contend that our values evolve and adapt in response to personal growth, experiences, and changing circumstances. Spiral Dynamics supports the latter.
Spiral Dynamics is a theory of human development that describes how our values and worldviews change as we grow and mature. It was developed by psychologist Clare W. Graves in the 1950s and further expanded upon by Don Beck and Christopher Cowan in the 1990s. Graves initially studied how individuals and societies respond to change and found that people go through different stages of thinking and behaviour as they adapt to new challenges.
These stages, represented by different colours on the spiral, are not hierarchical but build upon each other. The model suggests that as individuals and societies progress, they move from more egocentric, survival-focused mindsets to more inclusive, complex, and holistic perspectives.
The theory proposes that there are eight levels of consciousness, each of which is characterised by a different set of values.
The first four levels of consciousness are known as the "first tier" levels. These levels are defined by a focus on survival, security, and power. The values associated with these levels include:
Beige - Survival - People at this level are focused on meeting their basic needs for food, water, and shelter. They are often impulsive and reactive, and they may have difficulty seeing the long-term consequences of their actions.
Purple - Safety - People at this level are focused on finding security and belonging. They may be drawn to traditional authority figures and institutions, and they may have a strong sense of community.
Red - Power - People at this level are focused on asserting their power and dominance. They may be aggressive and competitive, and they may have a strong sense of entitlement.
Blue - Order - People at this level are focused on order, stability, and tradition. They may be rule-following and obedient, and they may have a strong sense of duty.
The next four levels of consciousness are known as the "second tier" levels. These levels are characterised by a focus on self-expression, creativity, and interconnectedness. The values associated with these levels include:
Orange - Achievement - People at this level are focused on success and achievement. They are often driven by competition and ambition, and they may have a strong sense of self-reliance.
Green - Community - People at this level are focused on harmony and cooperation. They may be drawn to environmentalism and social justice, and they may have a strong sense of interconnectedness with others.
Yellow - Individuality - People at this level are focused on self-expression and creativity. They may be open-minded and tolerant, and they may have a strong sense of personal freedom.
Turquoise - Wholeness - People at this level are focused on interconnectedness and wholeness. They may be concerned with global issues such as sustainability and peace, and they may have a strong sense of oneness with the universe.
The eighth level of consciousness, known as "Coral," is still under development. This level is characterized by a focus on unity and compassion.
Our personal values can change as we move up the spiral of consciousness. For example, someone who is at the Beige level might value survival and security above all else. However, as they move up the spiral, they might come to value things like community, creativity, and individuality more.
It is important to note that not everyone progresses through the levels of consciousness at the same rate. Some people may get stuck at a certain level, while others may move through the levels very quickly. There is no right or wrong way to progress through the spiral.
Understanding Spiral Dynamics can help us to understand ourselves and others better. It can also help us to appreciate the diversity of human values and worldviews. When we understand that people are operating from different levels of consciousness, we can be more understanding and compassionate towards them.
This model is unique in that it can be applied not only to individuals, but to communities, organisations, countries and the world as a whole. It is truly scalable and offers a multi-dimensional lens through which to analyse and address the intricate dynamics of human systems at various levels of complexity.
