Stage

Do you realize that the concept of childhood first appeared in 19th century Western culture? Before that we had no idea there were different stages of human development.

In the 20th century, researchers discovered that humans progress through “stages” — discrete, never changing, progressive steps in their ability to make sense of the world and themselves.

Most people (about 79%) reach and settle into the Conventional stage of their development. They live and work successfully within the established roles and expectations of Modern society. They have developed what one could call early formal operational thinking.

Humans who move beyond this step reach the Post-Conventional stage. They realize that individuals are separate entities from society, and that their own perspective can take precedence over society’s view. A select 2% of us reach Beyond this stage.

What’s interesting to note is that no matter what development stage an individual is in they are still a contradictory and uneven person. Our Self’s development across cognitive, emotional, interpersonal, moral, motivational and spiritual domains is never perfect.

Other articles that might tickle your fancy:

You like it? You really like it?
Email It | Tweet It | Stumble It | Save to Delicious | Save to FaceBook

  • Amazing how many analysts like to organize everything into neat packages. My mind is unpredictable, adventurous and likes the notion of play.
  • msbaroque
    Hmmm... bit of an overstatement re the pre-Victorians perhaps?

    All the world's a stage,
    And all the men and women merely players,
    They have their exits and entrances,
    And one man in his time plays many parts,
    His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
    Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
    Then, the whining schoolboy with his satchel
    And shining morning face, creeping like snail
    Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
    Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
    Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
    Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
    Jealous in honour, sudden, and quick in quarrel,
    Seeking the bubble reputation
    Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice
    In fair round belly, with good capon lin'd,
    With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
    Full of wise saws, and modern instances,
    And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
    Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
    With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side,
    His youthful hose well sav'd, a world too wide,
    For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
    Turning again towards childish treble, pipes
    And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
    That ends this strange eventful history,
    Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
    Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

    The vocabulary changes, and Shakespeare was talking in terms of outer stages, sure, but even back in the olden days people respected those who had attained a thing called wisdom.
blog comments powered by Disqus