Paul Marko's Mindful Endeavors

Newsletter

Volume 1: Issue 2 summer 2006:

Taking Stabs at the WHY of It.

Ten thousand trees freeze, just about to crack.
One lone tree only, warm reviving: in the nearby village, deep in snow,
last night one branch came to bloom.
Ch’i-chi



Loevinger’s model of ego development coupled with Cook-Greuter’s augmentation at the most expanded ranges of that model provides a conceptual framework for understanding the development of personality from infancy to the highest ranges able to be measured in adults. Many studies provide substantial support for both the validity of the concept, the description of the stages and the reliability of the instrument used to measure growth, the Washington University Sentence Completion Test, (SCT). Studying this model helps us understand how the re-conceptualization of a personal worldview changes as consciousness expands throughout life. 



Childhood development follows a predictable pattern. In youth, shifts of consciousness are foreseen and the changes in worldview that accompany these shifts are “normal for that age.” In adulthood, however, if and when expansion occurs development appears to be random and difficult to foresee. Most humans fall short of reaching all of the developmental stages described in the Loevinger/Cook-Greuter model. Studies show that only a minority of adults develop beyond the average and most frequented level identified by Loevinger as the Self-Aware stage. This expansion level is the next stage following the Conformist stage which normally occurs around the age of 7. To put this level of expansion in context, the SCT can and has frequently measured ego development a full 5 stages beyond the modal Self-Aware stage.



A full realization of this circumstance is usually accompanied by the obvious question, why do some people continue to develop and others stop? Rather than eliciting an answer, this query spawns a myriad of additional questions. Are there certain individuals that are born to develop? How do those that reach the more expanded ranges differ as children and then as adults from those who stop development at more conventional levels? There are many other questions regarding this mystery and answers are slowly emerging from the fog as more people become aware of ego development and focus on learning about this phenomenon.  



Some fascinating studies that shed some light on what might be considered traits that seem to be related to development beyond conventionality were done by intermittently administering a battery of tests including the SCT as people age. One such study was done by Helson & Srivastava (2001). They undertook a longitudinal study across 31 years of adulthood that examined the growth of individuals whose mental health patterns, skills and motivations resulted in different types of psychological development including ego growth. Three positive developmental patterns were discerned and labeled based on previous studies done by Marcia (1994). They were the: Achievers, Conservers, and Seekers. A fourth type labeled the Depleted was also identified, but this group lacked positive mental health patterns, thus was not central to the goals of the study and demonstrated minimal ego growth throughout adulthood. 



Using the SCT to measure ego development, both the Achievers and Seekers demonstrated gains in developmental level with the Seeker type scoring noticeably higher than the Achievers. A study of emotional regulation strategies contrasted the Conservers, Achievers and Seekers. Conservers, characteristically low in the area of ego development, tended to employ a strategy of muting emotionality in order to avoid extreme or negative affect. The use of emotional repression has been found to be negatively related to ego level (Westenberg & Block, 1993). Achievers accentuated positive emotions and minimized negative emotions. The Seekers demonstrated the willingness to experience a full range of both positive and negative emotions: “The strategy is to amplify deviations through exploration so as to obtain information and a more adequate basis for action, then to integrate positive and negative affect into a new structure” (Helson & Srivastava, 2001, p. 997). The Conservers’ tactic was designed to bring security and stability in contrast to the Seekers’ strategy which brought stimulation and possibilities for growth. This contrast brings to mind a quote by one of my favorite authors, Anais Nin, who said, “Life shrinks or expands according to one’s courage.”



Measurements taken regarding a sense of identity and adherence to social norms also revealed unique patterns for the Seekers. The Conservers displayed acceptance of the identity expected of them, a sharp increase of self-control and adherence to accepted patterns of behavior over time. Achievers increased in self-control over time, but not to the extent of the Conservers. In contrast, the Seekers displayed a decrease in adherence to social norms, engaging instead in a search for identity and resolutions to inner conflicts. 
 


Other factors that set the Seekers apart were a tendency toward political liberalism and high job creativity. While Achievers demonstrated high job creativity coupled with high job satisfaction and security, the Seekers scored lowest on job security.  The researchers felt this was because of personal choices made by the Seekers: “These findings reflect the preference of Seekers for stimulation and self-exploration [creative expression] at the cost of security” (Helson & Srivastava, 2001, p. 1005). From this study, there emerges a pattern of the Seekers being willing to forgo security for self-exploration and growth. Seekers displayed openness to new experiences and a willingness to sacrifice security to search beyond conventional answers.



These findings come from one study and make the suggestion that certain patterns for approaching life might allow for or foster ego expansion. If we assume that this study has some measure of veracity, how can we employ this knowledge to improve our society or speed our collective development? Knowledge is power – now you know.



Let me know what you think at mindfulendeavors@aol.com .





References



Helson, R., & Srivastava, S. (2001). Three paths to adult development: Conservers,



            seekers, and achievers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(6),


            995-1010.





Marcia, J. E. (1994). Ego identity and object relations. In J. M. Masling & R. F.



            Bornsteins (Eds.), Empirical perspectives on object relations theory (pp. 60-104).

 Washington DC: American Psychological Association.





Westenberg, P. M., & Block, J. (1993). Ego development and individual differences



            in personality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65(4), 792-800.






Research




By popular demand, I have written a synopsis of my dissertation, now posted on the articles link of my website. You may want to read it to see a summary of the research and findings we have done so far. Complete dissertations are also available for download or in printed form at my bookstore.



Because of the importance of the findings, I have undertaken the expansion of the study to include forty more participants. If you would like to volunteer to be in that study or know of someone who would benefit from participating in this study, I invite you to recommend them for the study.  Please send suggested names and e-mails to me at  pwmarko@aol.com.  I will contact them - using your name - and ask if they might like to volunteer.  
 



Questions & Comments



I welcome your questions and value your comments. We have so much to learn from each other. Much of the content from your feedback may be included in future newsletters and posted on the site.



To Unsubscribe



To unsubscribe to this newsletter,  contact me with the word unsubscribe in your message.







      
Newsletter









Volume 1: Issue 1 spring 2006:



The Importance of Understanding Consciousness Expansion: NOW!






	For all to agree, each must rise to the summit of his consciousness

	
			it is on the heights that harmony is created.


						The Mother




One morning while meditating on my third story balcony, I was jolted back to conscious awareness by sounds of Canada geese seemingly within close range. My eyes slowly opened to focus upon two mated pairs of geese and twelve goslings devouring the dandelion stalks twenty feet below. Their grace and beauty delighted my heart as I marveled at their perfection. They were ideal creations in bodily form, behavior and ecological fit. Viewing such a sight, I wondered, how anyone could doubt the presence of a divine plan for all existence. 



Then my mind took a turn toward the mundane and I flashed upon the imperfections of mankind. I thought of the extraordinary natural landscapes and the devastating blight of the cities. It seems that everything that bears the handprint of our species becomes a little less special, a little less pristine and perfect. We must be some kind of cosmic mistake, I mused. Then, in the quiet serenity of watching the geese families take turns scouring my lawn of stems, I slowly relaxed into the knowing that mankind is also flawless and following a path that is bound for transcendence.



Mankind, like the rest of the cosmos, represents a work of art in progress. And, like any creative effort this process includes fits of genius, times of elation but most often simply long hours of agony as the struggle inherent in the process unfolds.  In my studies of how consciousness learns and expands, the most common procedure that takes place is what I refer to as the "dilemma based model." In this mode, the ego (self) is presented with a problem that confounds his or her current way of understanding life. To overcome this dilemma, the ego can rationalize, redefine, deny or disassociate from the problem or he or she can choose to redefine the meaning of "what is" and rise to a more expanded level of awareness to cope with the current conundrum. This is how consciousness expansion commonly takes place.



Although this is not the only model for expansion, it is the most prevalent and relevant for most people today. The preponderance of individuals today (mean and mode) exist at an expansion level that centers on material possessions, a judging god, the unmistakable inevitability of death, the enforcement of properly defined relationships, separation, differences, prejudices and an overriding concern for one's own physical health. For most, there is a limited differentiation between individuals. Stereotypical characterizations of groups dominate feelings and predict reactions. Even though complexity of thinking is limited, the ability to embrace dichotomies without seeing conflict is pervasive. For example, "stopping the killing" as in outlawing abortions is not seen as conflicting with embracing the death penalty or supporting aggressive international warring. Being unable to pull back to a higher level of awareness allows these inconsistencies to prevail in constructed logic and influence judgment.  This condition leads to catastrophic results because in a democracy, the decision making of the masses rules the day.



If we, as a collective consciousness, are (and indeed we are) evolving toward the most expanded level possible- the remembrance of our divine oneness, couldn't the current global problems simply be an unfolding of one massive dilemma based model?  What if all of the wars, epidemic diseases, inhumane world leaders, torture, death squads, genocide, starvation, extreme wealth and restrictions on freedoms actually comprised a global change process designed to force a new way of thinking, a more expansive view?  Accepting this premise means that, the only questions that remain are how difficult must it become, how painful does the dilemma need to be to jolt consciousness to transforming itself into a more aware state - to expand our aggregate worldview? And, at what point do we stop seeing separations, borders, parties, skin color and realize that we must bond together and work for a better collective existence?



As the Canada geese undertake their northern migration, humankind on the ground struggles through a complicated, universal and devastatingly uncomfortable change process.  At some point, signs of awakening will begin to manifest in the form of glimpses of remembering about what we all mean to each another and how we must love and care for one another for the pain to abate.
 


Research




By popular demand, I have written a synopsis of my dissertation, now posted on the articles link of my website. You may want to read it to see a summary of the research and findings we have done so far. Complete dissertations are also available for download or in printed form at my bookstore.



Because of the importance of the findings, I have undertaken the expansion of the study to include forty more participants. If you would like to volunteer to be in that study or know of someone who would benefit from participating in this study, I invite you to recommend them for the study.  Please send suggested names and e-mails to me at  pwmarko@aol.com.  I will contact them - using your name - and ask if they might like to volunteer.  
 



Questions & Comments



I welcome your questions and value your comments. We have so much to learn from each other. Much of the content from your feedback may be included in future newsletters and posted on the site.



To Unsubscribe



To unsubscribe to this newsletter,  contact me with the word unsubscribe in your message.