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Dr. Clare W. Graves's Emergent, Cyclical Levels of Existence Theory Applied:
COLORS of Thinking in the Spiral model


The Spiral model is derived from the original thinking of Dr. Clare W. Graves for easier reference to the systems in Spiral Dynamics^® Levels 1 & 2 training and introductions. Here is a brief introduction to the Gravesian point of view as it has evolved thus far:

Human nature emerges along a developmental path from one equilibrium state to the next. These can be viewed as stages wherein each layer adds new elements to all that came before; in turn, each stands in preparation for a next phase which may or may not come. Every "level of human existence" offers a particular viewing point for the real world as defined by its unique set of perceptual filters. These diverse reality views lead to very different decision-making approaches, organizing principles for business, economic and governance models, and ideas of what appropriate, effective living means.

Through decades of research, Dr. Graves built "the emergent, cyclical, double-helix model of adult biopsychosocial systems development." (When asked about the ponderous title once during a conference, he responded with, "Well, damn it, that's what it is" and a wink.) He used pairs of letters to designate the interaction of conditions-without and latent systems-within. His labels for the eight core vMemes take the form of A-N, B-O, C-P, D-Q, E-R, F-S, A'-N', B'-O', etc. (They are noted below.) But there are also two transition states between each pair. For example, the transition stages between smug Yuppie and communitarian chic are E-R/f-s and e-r/F-S. Between raw idinal power drives and purposeful orderliness are C-P/d-q (the realm of many violent zealots) and D-Q/c-p (self-righteous absolutism). It's very powerful, but also pretty complicated until you become used to the letter language. There is also a clear sequence to the alphabetical labels that can erroneously be taken as a "better-than"/"worse-than" stacking. (The levels are not qualitative markers of human worth, but quantitative markers of expansiveness of conceptual space.)

Though Graves used the term, "double-helix," a Spiral graphic is also a useful way to visualize this process of emerging systems. (Many of his original graphics infer that form, but Graves' draftsman could not execute the drawings.) As a Spiral builds, each whorl represents the flow from one reality to the next. Individuals, organizations, and entire societies move along this spiral trajectory, shifting their priorities, values, and essences as they go toward their various futures. Since the future may be almost anywhere along the Spiral, the question is: What is next for this person or group, sensing the world in this way, changing from this way of being to the one that is next. Likewise, rather than asking, "what kind of person is this?" the Gravesian approach is to ask, "How is this person thinking about this thing in these circumstances, and why?" Thus, the model is not a typology but a flowing process of emerging, nested systems.

Another tributary of the Spiral Dynamics book is the burgeoning science of memetics which describes the notion of memes -- idea/information packets that transfer virus-like from mind to mind, community to community. (See the book reviews section and search the Web for "meme" or "memetics".) The Spiral Dynamics book connects memetics with yet deeper forces in human nature -- the core intelligences of the human spiral which are the attractors (and repellers) of memes. These are the VMemes (rhymes with vee-themes) which determine why and how people process ideas as they do. (Other non-memetic language includes "value systems" and "levels of psychological existence." The memetic connection arose with the 1996 book, Spiral Dynamics, and was not a part of Dr. Graves' original work which stands quite well without it.)

Movement and stasis along the developmental Spiral model - either up or down - are reflections of the interaction between Life Conditions (the conditions-without which combine the historic times, physical place, psycho-social existence problems, and socio-economic circumstances) and the VMemes accessible in the individual or collective mind (the systems-within). Generally, the evolution is toward more elaborated, more complex and inclusive ways of being - "higher" levels. However, life is without guarantees and there can also be regressions to previous, less complex, "lower" level structures. In either case, the active VMemes are the containers for ideas and the essence of value systems, weltanschauuns, and the many "real" worlds that exist in parallel - sometimes in conflict, sometimes in confluence - on earth today.

So, for simplicity, Chris Cowan introduced a color-code system back in the late 1970's to label the Gravesian levels ( vMemes) in their peak conditions. The color choices were based on convenience for making title slides and training aids - there is no deep significance intended. However, these metaphors may help in remembering the sequence:

Although Dr. Graves never used colors himself -- he used his letter-pairs and sometimes even numbers for the levels -- he expressed no objection to this simplified set of labels except that it mixes the two double-helix forces into one term, just as numbers do, thus suggesting a simplicity which is not there. For those unfamiliar with the model, here's a quick summary of the landmark zones along the Spiral. Remember that these are ways of thinking about a thing, not types of people, so several can coexist in admixtures and clusters. There are shadings, mixtures, and blends within individuals and ranges in organizations and communities.






Eight Value Systems
vMemes that have emerged to date and still exist side-by-side on earth . . .