Examples
from
Dr. Graves’s Research

The following statements represent one kind of data Clare Graves gathered from his own students as research subjects. Their task, after a semester-long course in psychology, was to generate a position paper describing "the mature adult human being." These particular conceptions were among Graves’ favorites and he often read from them during seminars. It was his view that they illustrate several of the developmental levels quite clearly and sound relatively pure tones for both nodal levels and transition phases between.

Using his original letter-pair designations, these examples are from the CP/bo through nodal FS levels of existence. In color language, they are from Entering RED through Peak GREEN. As you read the conceptions, you will observe that the themes change first in a progressively quantitative fashion until, following a regressive movement, a qualitatively different way of thinking about maturity emerges.

As you read the conceptions of transitional states (mixes between nodal levels), observe the pattern of (1) a rushing entrance, (2) a moment of calm, then (3) a rigidified, reluctant exit as (4) the next more complex level arises.