The 12 Spiral Dynamics Principles

These are the 12 principles to consider before being introduced to the Theory of Spiral Dynamics.  Some of these may not make sense until the theory is explained.

1. Value system arise from the interaction of two sets of forces:
   Existential problems living in a milieu; and
   Neuropsychological equipment in the brain.
2. Human development is an emergent, oscillating, process that subordinates older, less complex ways of thinking/being to newer, more expansive, more complex ones.  Older systems do not disappear, but are subsumed within the more elaborate ones and can be reactivated when older problems resurface. 
3. Value systems alternate between focus on…
   The external world (how we change and control it)
   The internal world (how we come to peace with it.
4. People tend to change their biopsychosocial beings as their Conditions of Existence change.
5. People centralized in a value system are psychosocially congruent with components of that system.
6. A person may not be equipped to move to more complex systems, even if the Conditions of Existence demand it.
7. A person may stabilize at one or at a combination of value systems if the conditions of existence are stable. 
8. Within each value system is a range of positive and negative characteristics and behaviors. 
9. When problems/conditions warrant, a person or group may regress to a previous value system.
10. A person may function in Open, Arrested and/or Closed states in different areas. 
11. Temperament, intelligence, gender, race, and age DO NOT correlate with value systems – although they can impact one’s life conditions.
12. No value system is inherently better or worse than another.  Appropriate to milieu and conditions of existence are the key.

"Who is wise?  He that learns from everyone.  Who is powerful?  He that governs his passions.  Who is rich?  He that is content.  Who is that?  Nobody." - Benjamin Franklin

Comments

[drew]

Is that a picture from Waterworld? How come everyone hates that movie? I thought it was pretty good. I mean Kevin Costner is pretty lame but he's Kevin Costner and is pretty lame in everything. I mean, the Postman? I don't ever even need to see that movie to know it sucks. Maybe Kevin Costner could join a show on FX and show off his acting chops. He has to have some acting chops. I cry my eyes out every time I see Field of Dreams.. but then again I cried during the preview of that stupid new Drew Barrymore movie about the whales stuck in the ice. And my internal discussion comes full circle.

[Coach]

Nah Drew, that's a design of a water community from the futuristic Venus Project, located out of Venus, FL. Resource-based economy.

[drew]

I'll take it.