In his book, In Over Our Heads: The Mental Demands of Modern Life, Robert Kegan (1994) introduces his readers to the concept of the “constructive-developmental theory”. This theory is used to help identify and explain an individual’s developmental evolution as a result of their qualitative metacognition and ability to “construct meaning” from irreconcilable differences, perspectives, and experiences leading to a transformational shift in how they see themselves and the world around them. Kegan compartmentalizes this theory into five orders of consciousness and we will focus particularly on the third order (socializing consciousness) towards the fourth order (self-authoring consciousness), from social constructing to self-authoring our lives.
Each order occurs in sequence, and builds upon the previous as we progress developmentally. “Thus, each stage represents an increase in the capacity for complexity over the previous stage” (Lamoreaux, 2010, p. 1). According to Kegan most of the adult population is in the third order, existing in the safety of established community norms and inherited traditions. In the third order, our …show more content…
Being a reliable daughter, sister, friend and co-worker was part of my identity. In retrospect my selfless acts were really an underlining selfish crave for validation from others. My “being there” won me the following attributes: faithful, committed, dependable, sincere, sweet and loyal - anything contrary was unacceptable. I could not handle the societal labels associated with being a “bad” anything so I became the “yes” person, marching to the beat of the outward drum. My dreams were neglected as I served “pleased” others. My values were fashioned by those I followed and at one point I wondered how much of me was really me and how much of me was others. This suppression of self, led to stagnation with my growing acceptance of the
Each order occurs in sequence, and builds upon the previous as we progress developmentally. “Thus, each stage represents an increase in the capacity for complexity over the previous stage” (Lamoreaux, 2010, p. 1). According to Kegan most of the adult population is in the third order, existing in the safety of established community norms and inherited traditions. In the third order, our …show more content…
Being a reliable daughter, sister, friend and co-worker was part of my identity. In retrospect my selfless acts were really an underlining selfish crave for validation from others. My “being there” won me the following attributes: faithful, committed, dependable, sincere, sweet and loyal - anything contrary was unacceptable. I could not handle the societal labels associated with being a “bad” anything so I became the “yes” person, marching to the beat of the outward drum. My dreams were neglected as I served “pleased” others. My values were fashioned by those I followed and at one point I wondered how much of me was really me and how much of me was others. This suppression of self, led to stagnation with my growing acceptance of the