A lot of my posts make use of a theory called E-C theory (commonly known as  Spiral Dynamics). This page lists a collection of posts that should get you up to speed with the theory. There are several different schools of thought If you think you already know what Spiral Dynamics is then it will probably still be helpful to read this introduction to understand where I am coming from.

My aim is to explain the framework of the theory, attempt to help you avoid the common pitfalls that a short introduction often introduces, explore the differences between the different schools of thought, critique the various schools of thought and hopefully one day discuss modern research that backs up and contradicts Graves.

This is by no means a comprehensive exploration and the theory has a lot of hidden complexity, if you find it useful, then I thoroughly recommend further study (see links at the bottom of the page)

A short history of E-C Theory and Spiral Dynamics
Clare Graves’ basic research findings
Criticism of Clare Graves’ research methodology

Spiral Dynamics and E-C theory, multiple explanations *Must read this before reading the individual value systems below.
To Do: Introduction to the value systems. (emergence, hierarchy)
To Do: Each systems dependency on ‘The Existential Means for Living’ and ‘The Existential problems‘ (Life conditions and mind conditions.)
Summary of Graves’ description of the A-N value system
To Do: Creative expression of the A-N value system
To Do: Summary of Graves’ description of the B-O value system
Creative expression of the B-O (purple) value system
To Do: Summary of Graves’ description of the C-P value system
Creative expression of the C-P (red) value system
To Do: Summary of Graves’ description of the D-Q value system
Creative expression of the D-Q (blue) value system
To Do: Summary of Graves’ description of the E-R value system
Creative expression of E-R (orange) value system
To Do: Summary of Graves’ description of the F-S value system
Creative expression of F-S (green) value system
To Do: Summary of Graves’ description of the G-T value system
Creative expression of G-T (yellow) value system
To Do: Summary of Graves’ description of the H-U value system

To Do: Cyclical emergent values systems (’I’ and ‘We’ centred, nodal,exiting and entering states, advanced naming convention)
To Do: Conceptions emerge in a wavelike fashion. Only 60% are clearly centred on a value system
To Do: Criticism of consistent values and I, we oscillation.
To Do: Development between systems (6 conditions for change, degree of behavioural freedom, problems caused by the current system solved by the next, role of authority in change.)
To Do: Difference between subsistence and being systems and a critique for lack of evidence.

To Do: How people with a value conception work together in small groups.
To Do: Extrapolating how people with a value conception work together as society.
To Do: Exploring possibilities for how people with different value conceptions work together.

To Do: Updating Graves’ theory with findings in evolutionary psychology - Understanding why these abilities are emergent.
To Do: Updating Graves’ theory with findings in biopsychology - Understanding neural feedback networks and their implications.

The original Spiral Dynamics
To Do: Differences between Spiral Dynamics and Graves’ theory.
To Do: Using colours instead of letter pairs
To Do: Critique of using colours instead of letter pairs
To Do: Diversifying the sample population.
To Do: memes and vMemes
To Do: Closed and open values
To: Critique closed and open values
To Do: Summary critique of the original Spiral Dynamics

Ken Wilber and Spiral Dynamics Integral
To Do: Differences between Spiral Dynamics Integral and Graves’ theory.
To Do: The pre-trans hypothesis
To Do: Mean values
To Do: Critique of mean values.
To Do: Critique of the original Spiral Dynamics

Cowan and Todorovic Spiral Dynamics
To Do: Differences between Cowan and Todorovic Spiral Dynamics and Graves’ theory.
To Do: Dumbing down HU,GT and FS.
To Do: Critique of Cowan and Todorovic Spiral Dynamics

To Do: Summary of my own position

To Do: Summary of interesting research questions that I would pursue if I could clone myself.

Further information

You may also like to check out the Spiral Dynamics tag and the Spiral Dynamics category collections.

Finally if you would like to get the information from the horses mouth then check out the following resources:-

This pdf introducing Spiral Dynamics provides a good quick summary, but beware its simplicity, the theory is a lot more complex and interwoven than this suggests.
The Never Ending Quest : The closest we have to Graves original material.
www.clarewgraves.com. : A web resource containing among other things, reproductions of all the articles that Graves published.
The original Spiral Dynamics book : Written by two of Graves students.
www.spiraldynamics.org The school of Spiral Dynamics I am trained in.
www.spiraldynamics.net The school of Spiral Dynamics that intorduced me to Spiral Dynamics, but now disagree with and am not trained in.
This wikipedia article is also pretty good for basic information.