Adult development theory Flashcards
(20 cards)
Who developed the constructive-developmental theory of adult development?
Robert Kegan, a developmental psychologist and Harvard professor.
What key works did Robert Kegan publish related to his theory?
The Evolving Self (1982), In Over Our Heads (1994), Immunity to Change (2009, with Lisa Lahey).
What is the core concept of Kegan’s theory of development?
The evolving subject-object relationship — where development involves making what was once subject into object.
What does it mean to move something from ‘subject’ to ‘object’?
It means gaining perspective on something you were previously embedded in and unable to reflect on.
What are the five orders of mind in Kegan’s theory?
1) Impulsive Mind, 2) Instrumental Mind, 3) Socialised Mind, 4) Self-Authoring Mind, 5) Self-Transforming Mind.
What characterises the Impulsive Mind (Stage 1)?
Impulsive behaviour, minimal self-concept, egocentric perspective — typical of early childhood.
What characterises the Instrumental Mind (Stage 2)?
Rule-based thinking, self-interest, transactional relationships — common in older children and some adolescents.
What characterises the Socialised Mind (Stage 3)?
Identity defined by external expectations, need for approval, difficulty in independent thinking — common in many adults.
What characterises the Self-Authoring Mind (Stage 4)?
Internal values system guides decisions, independent thinking, personal responsibility.
What characterises the Self-Transforming Mind (Stage 5)?
Embraces ambiguity, sees multiple systems of meaning, values transformation over fixed identity.
Which developmental shift is most common in coaching?
The transition from the Socialised Mind (Stage 3) to the Self-Authoring Mind (Stage 4).
What is the goal of coaching using Kegan’s framework?
To help clients bring hidden assumptions (subject) into awareness (object) for reflection and transformation.
What is the ‘Immunity to Change’ framework?
A tool by Kegan and Lahey that helps uncover hidden commitments that block desired change.
How does Kegan’s theory support leadership development?
By helping leaders evolve their meaning-making capacity to handle greater complexity and responsibility.
What cultural criticism is made of Kegan’s theory?
It reflects a Western, individualistic bias and may not align with collectivist cultures that value interdependence.
Why is the theory sometimes seen as elitist?
The later stages (especially Stage 5) are rare and can privilege certain types of abstract or intellectual development.
What empirical limitation is noted in Kegan’s theory?
It lacks robust, large-scale empirical validation and often relies on subjective interpretation.
What does the theory underemphasise, according to critics?
Emotional, somatic, and spiritual dimensions of development.
What is the criticism of the theory’s structure of development?
It suggests a linear progression, whereas real-life development can be non-linear or cyclical.
Why might coaches find the theory difficult to apply?
It is abstract and requires specialised training (e.g., in Subject-Object Interview techniques).
