What I find hilarious about Spiral Dynamics is that the proponents of the theory never really engaged with their own content, if they had they would have recognised the flaws and addressed them.
In principle the work of Graves and Beck should be a sound evaluation of human development throughout society, but like many pioneers they were blinded by their own personal belief systems and failed to apply their system to the wider biological world.
Revised Spiral Dynamics according to Biscuits_Box.
Level 1 - Personal selfishness: This is the fulfillment of our basic Maslow needs; Food, water, shelter, etc. "This is mine"
Level 2 - Familial selfishness: The fulfillment of our secondary needs; compassion, recognition, safety. "This is ours"
Level 3 - Tribal selfishness: The fulfillment of specific group societal expectations. "You are welcome if..."
Level 4 - Belief selfishness: Our first humanistic trait and shame based; Primarily gatekeeping due to bias; religious, academic, gender, race, etc. "You can share if..."
Level 5 - Spirituality: Finding deeper meaning in our life; charity work, volunteering, counselling, coaching, etc. "I help you for myself"
Level 6 - Community: Becoming a Spiritual leader in your community; "I help you because you need the help"
Level 7 - Transcendence: Freedom from fear and worry. "You help me to help you."
Level 8 - Global Think: Holistic solutions to global issues. "We are one people"
The ability to believe is the only thing that separates us from the animal kingdom, but it also induces traumas that are uniquely human.
We are shamed by the tribes to which our families belong in order to propagate their concept or idea, with the open threat of excommunication from the familial unit for failing to adhere to those beliefs.
As a diagnosed ADHDer, these social constructs are an anathema to me. Leadership is not a mandated title, but occurs naturally within groups with the most capable in a given task taking charge.
By default, the neurodiverse (ND) are level 5 people. Historically they have been revered as geniuses, shaman and holy people, but their altruistic goals are often subverted by those unable or unwilling to progress beyond level 4.
Dangerously, this can and does lead to ND individuals retreating to level 1 behaviours to manage their trauma, manifesting as narcissistic personality disorders - primarily vulnerable narcissism.
However, trauma is easily mitigated when it is understood and an appropriate and safe environment created. Thought that is the hard part.
There has been much research and debate in recent years over Adverse Childhood Experiences but the application of this understanding is not forthcoming in schools and classrooms.
To quote Cher, "There's not enough love and understanding to ease these troubled times."
Let's put your shame-based perceptions to the test:
An overweight, bearded teacher hugs an upset student.
First instinct: appropriate behaviour or not?
Now if I tell you that physical contact is part of the child's EHCP, does that change your opinion of me or am I still a potential pervert?
A safe classroom environment should be free of shame, but also open to random drop-ins from other adults. Those few predators that slip through the professional gaps are easier to catch in environments where children feel safe and can be honest.
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