Spiral Dynamics

Spiral Dynamics is a theory of human development introduced in the 1996 book Spiral Dynamics by Don Beck and Chris Cowan. The book was based on the theory of psychology professor Clare W. Graves, and originally targeted at a business management audience.

Spiral Dynamics provides a framework for understanding the dynamic forces at work in human affairs - business, personal lives, education, geopolitics.

Spiral Dynamics reveals the hidden complexity codes that shape human nature, create global diversities, and drive evolutionary change. These dynamic Spiral forces attract and repel individuals, form the webs and meshes that connect people within groups, communities and organizations, and forge the rise and fall of nations and cultures.

Spiral Dynamics meshes the new science of memetics with Gravesian value systems to form “value memes” or “vMemes” to craft a model of transformational change. By exploring and describing the core intelligences and deep values that flow beneath what we believe and do, the model offers a profoundly incisive, dynamic perspective on complex matters such as:
» HOW people think about things (as opposed to “what” they think)
» WHY people make decisions in different ways
» WHY people respond to different motivators
» WHY and HOW values arise and spread
» The nature of CHANGE

The Eight-Stage Spiral of Development

TURQUOISE Holistic MEME—starting 30 years ago

• Basic theme: Experience the wholeness of existence through mind and spirit
• The world is a single, dynamic organism with its own collective mind
• Self is both distinct and a blended part of a larger, compassionate whole
• Everything connects to everything else in ecological alignments
• Energy and information permeate the Earth's total environment
• Holistic, intuitive thinking and cooperative actions are to be expected

YELLOW Integrative MEME—starting 50 years ago

• Basic theme: Live fully and responsibly as what you are and learn to become
• Life is a kaleidoscope of natural hierarchies, systems, and forms
• The magnificence of existence is valued over material possessions
• Flexibility, spontaneity, and functionality have the highest priority
• Differences can be integrated into interdependent, natural flows
• Understands that chaos and change are natural

"What I am proposing is that the psychology of the mature human being is an unfolding, emergent, oscillating, spiraling process, marked by progressive subordination of older, lower-order behavior systems to newer, higher-order systems as man's existential problems change."
Dr. Clare Graves

• GREEN Communitarian/Egalitarian MEME - starting 150 years ago
• Basic theme: Seek peace within the inner self and explore, with others, the caring dimensions of community
• The human spirit must be freed from greed, dogma, and divisiveness
• Feelings, sensitivity, and caring supersede cold rationality
• Spreads the Earth's resources and opportunities equally among all
• Reaches decisions through reconciliation and consensus processes
• Refreshes spirituality, brings harmony, and enriches human development

ORANGE Achievist/Strategic MEME - starting 300 years ago

• Basic theme: Act in your own self-interest by playing the game to win
• Change and advancement are inherent within the scheme of things
• Progresses by learning nature's secrets and seeking out best solutions
• Manipulates Earth's resources to create and spread the abundant good life
• Optimistic, risk-taking, and self-reliant people deserve success
• Societies prosper through strategy, technology, and competitiveness

BLUE Purposeful/Authoritarian MEME - starting 5,000 years ago

• Basic theme: Life has meaning, direction, and purpose with predetermined outcomes
• One sacrifices self to the transcendent Cause, Truth, or righteous Pathway
• The Order enforces a code of conduct based on eternal, absolute principles
• Righteous living produces stability now and guarantees future reward
• Impulsivity is controlled through guilt; everybody has their proper place
• Laws, regulations, and discipline build character and moral fiber

RED Impulsive/Egocentric MEME - starting 10,000 years ago

• Basic theme: Be what you are and do what you want, regardless
• The world is a jungle full of threats and predators
• Breaks free from any domination or constraint to please self as self desires
• Stands tall, expects attention, demands respect, and calls the shots
• Enjoys self to the fullest right now without guilt or remorse
• Conquers, out-foxes, and dominates other aggressive characters

PURPLE Magical/Animistic MEME - starting 50,000 years ago

• Basic theme: Keep the spirits happy and the tribe's nest warm and safe
• Obeys the desires of the spirit being and mystical signs
• Shows allegiance to chief, elders, ancestors, and the clan
• Individual subsumed in group
• Preserves sacred objects, places, events, and memories
• Observes rites of passage, seasonal cycles, and tribal customs

BEIGE Instinctive/Survivalistic MEME - starting 100,000 years ago

• Basic theme: Do what you must just to stay alive
• Uses instincts and habits just to survive
• Distinct self is barely awakened or sustained
• Food, water, warmth, sex, and safety have priority
• Forms into survival bands to perpetuate life
• Lives "off the land" much as other animals

*Material blatently lifted from Spiral Dynamics Integral and Enlightennext magazine. Recommended reading.