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Spiral Dynamics by Clare W. Graves - The Fundamental Approach at the Core of Our Value Assessment

Spiral Dynamics is a model of the evolutionary development of individuals, organizations, and society. The theory was developed by Don Beck and Chris Cowan and is based on the theory of emergent cyclical levels of existence by Clare Graves, the memetics of Richard Dawkins, and further advancements influenced by the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Later, the theory of Integral Spiral Dynamics emerged, developed by Ken Wilber and Don Beck [10].

In 1952, Clare Graves began working on the theory of emergent cyclical levels of existence with the aim of explaining why people react differently and possess varying motivations [11]. In 1966, he published the initial model of a system with seven levels of thinking. By 1974, he released the final version: the system now consisted of two tiers, with the first tier having six levels of thinking and the second tier having two. In his theory, he utilized two spirals: the first spiral represented life conditions, and the second spiral represented emerging possibilities of thinking.

Spiral Dynamics describes how systems of values and worldviews emerge as a result of the interaction between "life conditions" and the capabilities of the mind [12]. The emphasis on life

conditions as essential for progressing through the value system is unique among similar theories, suggesting that no level is inherently positive or negative; rather, it is a response to the local environment, social circumstances, place, and time [13,14]. Through these value systems, groups and cultures structure their societies, and individuals integrate into them. Each set of values is developed in response to solving problems posed by the previous system. Changes between states can occur gradually (first-order changes) or suddenly (second-order changes) [15]. Value systems evolve in a specific order, and the most crucial question when examining a value system expressed in particular behavior is why such behavior occurs [16].

Figure 1 depicts the levels of values with color-coded markers identifying the characteristics of each level.


The chronology provided below illustrates the development of Spiral Dynamics theory and highlights key well-documented events and scientific publications that form the basis of the contemporary understanding of this concept.Vertical bars indicate notable publications, which are listed along with several other significant events after the timeline.



1966: Graves: first major publication (in The Harvard Business review)[17]

1970: Graves: peer reviewed publication in Journal of Humanistic Psychology[17]

1974: Graves: article in The Futurist (Beck first becomes aware of Graves's theory; Cowan a bit later)[18][19]

1977: Graves abandons manuscript of what would later become The Never Ending Quest[20]

1996: Beck and Cowan: Spiral Dynamics: Mastering Values, Leadership, and Change[19]

1999: Wilber: The Collected Works of Ken Wilber, Vol. 4: Integral Psychology (first Spiral Dynamics reference)[21]

2000: Cowan and Todorovic: "Spiral Dynamics: The Layers of Human Values in Strategy" in Strategy & Leadership (peer reviewed)[20]

2000: Wilber: A Theory of Everything (integrates SD with AQAL, defines MGM: "Mean Green Meme")[22]

2002: Beck: "SDi: Spiral Dynamics in the Integral Age" (launches SDi as a brand)[23]2002: Todorovic: "The Mean Green Hypothesis: Fact or Fiction?" (refutes MGM)[24]

2002: Graves; William R. Lee (annot.); Cowan and Todorovic (eds.): Levels of Human Existence, transcription of Graves's 1971 three-day seminar[25]

2005: Graves; Cowan and Todorovic (eds.): The Never Ending Quest[26]

2006: Wilber: Integral Spirituality [27][28]

2017: Wilber: Religion of Tomorrow (further elaborates on the altitude concept and coloring)[28]

2018: Beck et al.: Spiral Dynamics in Action[29]

Thus, the Spiral Dynamics theory stands as a sophisticated and well-developed methodology for assessing human values, having withstood the test of time for almost 60 years, incorporating new perspectives while retaining its unique idea.Moreover, several studies have convincingly demonstrated the practical application of the Spiral Dynamics concept, particularly in team management, corporate structure optimization, and handling organizational business processes. This constitutes the main focus of our attention. [30,31].

References

  1. Lievens, F., Peeters, H., & Schollaert, E. Situational judgment tests: A review of recent research. / F.

  2. Lievens, H. Peeters, E. Schollaert // Personnel Review — 2008, 37(4), P. 426-441.

  3. Standards for educational and psychological testing. Washington, DC: American EducationalResearch

  4. Association

  5. Phelps, Richard P. (April 10, 2011). "Extended Comments on the Draft Standards for Educational &

  6. Psychological Testing". Nonpartisan Education Review / Essays. 7 (3).

  7. Beck, Don; Larsen, Teddy Hebo; Solonin, Sergey; Viljoen, Rica; Johns, Thomas Q. (29 May

  8. 2018). Spiral Dynamics in Action: Humanity's Master Code. Chester, United Kingdom: John Wiley &

  9. Sons. pp. 15–16. ISBN 978-1-119-38718-3.

  10. Beck, Don; Larsen, Teddy Hebo; Solonin, Sergey; Viljoen, Rica; Johns, Thomas Q. (29 May

  11. 2018). Spiral Dynamics in Action: Humanity's Master Code. Chester, United Kingdom: John Wiley &

  12. Sons. pp. 15–16

  13. Cacciope & Edwards 2005, p. 93

  14. Nasser 2021, p. 11

  15. "Spiral Dynamics For Newbies", PP 67-98

  16. Viljoen, Rica (29 May 2018). "Back to the Future – The South African Crucible Revisited". In Beck,

  17. Don (ed.). Spiral Dynamics in Action: Humanity's Master Code. Chester, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-119-38718-3.

  18. 16. Beck & Cowan 1996, p. 3


  1. Christensen, Tom (2015a). "Orienting Details". In Christensen, Tom (ed.). Innovate Development: Emerging Worldviews & Systems Change.

  2. Beck, Don; Larsen, Teddy Hebo; Solonin, Sergey; Viljoen, Rica; Johns, Thomas Q. (29 May 2018). Spiral Dynamics in Action: Humanity's Master Code. Chester, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 15–16. ISBN 978-1-119-38718-3.

  3. Todorovic, Natasha. "About Us". NVC Consulting. Retrieved 24 August 2020.

  4. Cook 2008, p. 348

  5. Visser, Frank (1 September 2003). Ken Wilber: Thought as Passion. SUNY series in Transpersonal and Humanistic Psychology. SUNY Press. p. 229. ISBN 978-0-7914-5815-0.

  6. MacDonald, Copthorne. "Review Of: A Theory of Everything". Integralis: Journal of Integral Consciousness, Culture, and Science. 1. Retrieved 12 August 2020.

  7. Butters 2015, p. 71

  8. Hampson, Gary P. (June 2007). "Integral Re-views Postmodernism: The Way Out Is Through" (PDF). Integral Review (4): 131. Retrieved 4 March 2021.

  9. Graves, Clare W. (2002). Lee, William R.; Cowan, Christopher; Todorovic, Natasha (eds.). Levels of Human Existence: Edited Transcription of a Seminar at the Washington School of Psychiatry, October 16, 1971. Santa Barbara, CA: ECLET Publishing. ISBN 0-9724742-0-X.

  10. Combs, Allan (April 2007). "Book Review: The Never Ending Quest". Review. Journal of Transformative Education. SAGE. 5 (2): 192– 197. doi:10.1177/1541344607303850. S2CID 143451037.

  11. Butters 2015, pp. 69, 71–73

  12. Visser 2017, pp. 35–36

  13. Mummery, Graham (January–February 2014). "Secular, Sacred, Scientific". Book Reviews. Integral Leadership Review. 18 (2). Retrieved 4 March 2021.

  14. Kleiner, George. (2020). Spiral Dynamics, System Cycles and New Organizational Models: Pearlescent Enterprises. Russian Management Journal. 18. 471-496. 10.21638/spbu18.2020.401

  15. Caldwell-Serges, Lisa & Brown, Lisa & McCray, Pamela & Neal, Jeffery. (2023). Corporate Digital Literacy Mandates: Using SDT-Based Strategies to Circumvent “Quiet Quitting” Syndrome. International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning (iJAC). 16. 18-36. 10.3991/ijac.v16i2.35747.].

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