Synthesis:Cook-Greuter's stages of ego-development

Susan Cook-Greuter's work builds on Loevinger's theory of ego-development and Kohlberg's work of moral development, as well as transpersonal psychology, including Ken Wilber's Integral Theory. It includes but goes beyond the level of normal development from birth to adulthood (as described most famously by Piaget). The transition from conventional to non-conventional development, which has echoes in various other systems, such as what classical phenomenology called the "phenomenological conversion" that breaks the spontaneous "natural attitude" of the functional and conventional adult (or child), seems deeply connected with the specific area of experiences and axis of development which are the focus of the EmergeWiki.

Some general tenets of constructive adult developmental theory

"In general, full-range human development theories share the following assumptions:

• Development theory describes the ideal unfolding of human potential towards deeper understanding, greater love, wisdom and effectiveness in the world.

• Growth occurs in a logical sequence of stages or expanding world views from birth to adulthood. The movement is often likened to an ever widening spiral.

• Overall, world views evolve from simple to complex, from static to dynamic, and from egocentric to socio-centric to world-centric.

• Later stages are reached only by journeying through the earlier stages. Once a stage has been traversed, it remains a part of the individual’s response repertoire, even when more complex, later stages are adopted as primary lenses to metabolize experience.

• Each later stage includes and transcends the previous ones. That is, the earlier perspectives remain part of our current experience and knowledge (just as when a child learns to run, it doesn’t stop to be able to walk).

• Each later stage in the sequence is more differentiated, integrated, flexible and capable of functioning more adequately in our rapidly changing and ever more complex world.

• As healthy development unfolds, autonomy, freedom, tolerance for difference and ambiguity, resourcefulness as well as flexibility, self-awareness, and skill in interacting with the environment increase while defenses decrease.

• People’s stage of development influences what they notice and can become aware of, and therefore, what they can describe, articulate, cultivate, influence, and change.

• Derailment in development, pockets of lack of integration, trauma and psychopathology are seen at all levels. Thus later stages are not necessarily more adjusted or “happier.”

• A person who has reached a later stage can understand earlier ones because they are part of their own becoming, but a person at an earlier stage cannot fully understand the later ones.

• The depth, complexity, and scope of what people notice can expand throughout life. Yet no matter how evolved we become, our knowledge and understanding remains partial and incomplete.

• Development occurs through the interplay between person and environment, not just by one or the other. It is a potential and can be encouraged and facilitated by appropriate support and challenge, but it cannot be guaranteed.

• While vertical development can be invited and the environment optimally structured towards growth, it cannot be forced. People have the right to be who they are at any station in life.

• The later the stage, the more variability for unique self-expression exists, and the less readily we can determine where a person’s center of gravity lies.

• All stage descriptions are idealizations that no human being fits entirely."

Stages of Ego-development

Susan Cook-Greuter's model covers the following stages:

• Pre-Conventional Stages
  • Symbiotic, Stage 1
  • Impulsive, Stage 2
  • Self-Protective or Opportunistic, Stage 2/3
  • Rule-oriented, Stage Delta/3
• Conventional Stages
  • Conformist, Stage 3
  • Self-conscious or Expert, Stage 3/4
  • Conscientious or Achiever, Stage 4
• Post-Conventional Stages
  • The General Systems Stages
    • Individualist or Pluralist, Stage 4/5
    • Autonomous or Strategist, Stage 5
  • The Post-autonomous Stages
    • Construct-aware and Ego-aware, Stage 5/6
    • Unitive, Stage 6