Chapter 4 --  Spiral Dynamics:  Mastering Values, Leadership, and Change
Change and the Spiral

The central theme of Spiral Dynamics is that we are suffering from the Humpty Dumpty Effect because we are missing the key mechanisms that impact human dynamics in the first place.

This is especially the case when addressing critical issues of race, crime, education, societal imbalances, and large-scale systems in transition.

Three approaches fail to address the deepest human dynamics:

As memes change, so do thinking and behavioral choices.

This discussion about change will deal directly with the memes through these questions:

Spiral Dynamics is based on these perspectives regarding memes:

Principles of Spiral Change

The spiral is best viewed as a moving picture, not a snapshot.

When a person experiences "change" by repairing old systems, strengthening others, or awakening new ones, the total social atom will be disturbed.

The Six conditions for meme change

Six conditions apply throughout the spiral.

  1. Potential in the individual or collective brain syndicate to change.
    People vary in terms of their change potentials along a continuum from OPEN to ARRESTED to CLOSED (OAC).
    If you can assess the OAC status of an individual or organization's meme profile you can predict the likelihood of movement and what would need to be done to facilitate it.
    The OPEN spiral is like a computer-monitored automatic transmission.  Arrested is like a standard ship.  Closed is "on or off".
    Signs of closed thinking
  2. Solutions for current existence problems
    To satisfy condition 1 be certain that:
  3. Dissonance is present within the current meme system
    Factors that produce the sensation of dissonance:
  4. Insight into probable causes and viable alternatives
    Understanding:
  5. Barriers to change identified and overcome
    Barriers are identified correctly in step two.
  6. Consolidation and Support during transition

When all of the six conditions are met, new memes may awaken and movement along the spiral may occur.

  1. Potential in the mind/brain
  2. Solutions to current problems
  3. Dissonance and uncertainty
  4. Insight and alternatives
  5. Barriers identified and resolved
  6. Consolidation and support

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Personal notes on reading from :
Beck, D.E. & Cowan, C.C.  Spiral Dynamics:  Mastering Values, Leadership, and Change.