#psychology #personal-growth Created at 030923 # [Anonymous feedback](https://www.admonymous.co/louis030195) # [[Epistemic status]] #shower-thought Last modified date: 030923 Commit: 0 # Related - [[Maslow pyramid]] # Kegan developmental psychology theory - Kegan builds on Jean Piaget's stages of cognitive development in children and extends it to adult development. - His theory outlines stages of meaning-making from impulsive self-interest to socialized mind, self-authoring mind, and self-transforming mind. - The socialized mind conforms to the expectations of others and society. The self-authoring mind develops an internal authority and evaluates claims on one's attention. - The self-transforming mind can step back and reflect on even its own internal system and construct a more expansive worldview. - These stages represent qualitative shifts in how we construct reality and make meaning. Each stage transcends and includes the previous ones. - Development happens through support, challenge, and solving "good problems" that push us beyond our current way of thinking. - Kegan sees continued human development, beyond reproductive years, as evolutionarily aimed at cultivating the higher stages needed to solve existential crises. - His theory has applications for understanding individual growth as well as tensions between traditional and modern worldviews in society. In summary, Kegan provides a constructive-developmental framework for how our meaning-making evolves over the lifespan through stages of increasing complexity, autonomy and integration ## [[Nietzsche]]'s metaphor There are some interesting parallels between Robert Kegan's stages of development and Nietzsche's metaphor of the camel, lion, and child: - The socialized mind is similar to Nietzsche's "camel" which bears the burden of traditional morality and customs without question. It conforms to expectations. - The self-authoring mind is akin to Nietzsche's "lion" which breaks free from the values of the herd and asserts its own will and authority. It develops an inner authority. - The self-transforming mind resembles Nietzsche's "child" which is able to create new values and meaning beyond the binary of good/evil. It transcends its own subjectivity. However, there are also some key differences: - Kegan's stages are sequential and build in complexity, while Nietzsche uses the camel, lion, and child more as fluid metaphors. - Kegan focuses on cognitive and emotional development across the lifespan. Nietzsche was more concerned with moral and ideological transformation. - Kegan aims to help integrate different stages, while Nietzsche provokes us to break free from traditional morality. - Kegan is more empirical and academic in his approach compared to Nietzsche's poetic and metaphorical style. In summary, both see progression from unquestioning conformity to inner liberation and then integration at a higher level. But Kegan's model is more structured and intended to foster growth over time. ## [[Krishnamurti]] There are some interesting parallels between Robert Kegan's developmental theory and Jiddu Krishnamurti's philosophical ideas: - Both emphasize stages of psychological and spiritual growth beyond conventional social conditioning. - Krishnamurti's notion of observing one's conditioning without judgment mirrors Kegan's idea of transcending embedded subjectivity. - Krishnamurti valued "choiceless awareness" and transcending the ego-self. Similarly, Kegan describes the self-transforming mind as able to step back from identification with its own constructions. - Krishnamurti stressed going beyond fear, authority, and divisive ideologies. Kegan sees the self-authoring mind as breaking free from unquestioned acceptance of external formulas. However, there are also some key differences: - Krishnamurti was more radical in rejecting the whole notion of psychological evolution and maps. Kegan aims to describe the unfolding process. - Krishnamurti focused on immediate revolution through insight. Kegan sees incremental development over time through challenges. - Kegan comes from an academic research background with empirical data. Krishnamurti shunned systematic thought and method. - Kegan provides more specifics on the dynamics and markers of each stage. Krishnamurti emphasized direct experiencing rather than concepts. In essence, Krishnamurti and Kegan both identify a path from conformist thinking to inner freedom and integration. But Kegan offers more of a structured developmental roadmap, while Krishnamurti insists on going beyond all systems.