The Graves Model is a values meta-model, a developmental model for the unfolding of personality and the evolution of cultures and organizations.
It was named after Clare Graves (1914-1986), formerly Professor of Psychology at Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., USA. Clare Graves was a colleague of the famous motivation researcher Abraham Maslow and he developed his theory in direct relation to Maslow's work in the 1950s.
In essence, Clare Graves designed a developmental model for the unfolding of personality and the evolution of cultures and organizations. The central starting point of his observation was the motivation represented by values and the evolution of these inner value systems.
- In early cultures (e.g., Stone Age), motivation was characterized by immediate survival values such as food, shelter, warmth, etc.
- In later times, the security of a tribe was a central motivator
- Subsequently, more complex societies developed with their rules and laws. Now other values determined motivation
Clare Graves describes the phases of this evolutionary value development in a values meta-model. Graves describes eight value classes. The system is open-ended, meaning Graves allows for the possibility that there are even higher value classes. At the same time, he expresses that human evolution has no fixed goal but is an open process. Each Graves level has its own level of consciousness.
Here is an overview of these eight value levels:
Graves 1 – "Survival" – Individual-Oriented
The first value system originates from the time of Stone Age humans, the era of hunters and gatherers. Analogous to the base of Maslow's motivation pyramid, elementary survival values take precedence, e.g., food, water, warmth, sex, and shelter.
Life here is pure adaptation to nature. The self is only weakly perceived, with all attention focused outward on sensory perception.
Graves 2 – "Security and Belonging" – Group-Oriented
Development leads the human race further into the experience of tribal life. The person subordinates themselves to the tribe and the chief and receives security. Security and identification are the most important Graves 2 values. The following Graves 2 values are relevant:
Security, belonging, permanent employment, protection, safeguarding, connection, feeling "at home," loyalty to the organization, being part of the group, belonging, security, the principle of elders/seniority, past orientation, preserving rituals, pride in the organization, nationalism, local ties, loyalty to roots
When Graves 2 components are constructively integrated into a mature personality, the person is loyal and trustworthy. They are proud of their company and have a pronounced sense of family and cohesion.
Graves 3 – "Power and Strength" – Individual-Oriented
Here, humans develop an individual self for the first time, meaning the Graves 3 level is the birth of the individualized self. For the first time, a strong "I" develops. The self frees itself from identification with the tribe and expresses itself impulsively, egocentrically, and independently. This is the value level of heroes, knights, and cowboys. Important values are:
Strength, honor, courage, power, leadership claim, getting respect, being cool, being relentless, joy, fun, pleasure, risk, drama, spontaneity, creative power, assertiveness, victory, victor, winner, avoiding shame & loser image, independence, autonomy, adventure, seeking the "kick"
When people are centered in Graves 3, they think: "The world is rough and hard. Only the strongest survive." Through this worldview, they often behave harshly, aggressively, and ruthlessly. People with strong but balanced Graves 3 components through higher values are very creative and proactive and quickly take initiative.
Graves 4 – "Law and Order" – Group-Oriented
How do you get control over a bunch of roughnecks and cowboys? Here, for the first time in human evolution, advanced civilizations develop with universally valid rules and laws. The law of the jungle from the Graves 3 level is replaced by a universally valid legal framework. Important values of this level are:
Law & order, structure, loyalty, handshake quality, honesty, truth, authenticity, genuineness, justice, accuracy, thoroughness, adherence to principles, morality, virtues, politeness, discipline, obedience, reliability, stability, clarity, certainty, perfectionism, fulfillment of duty
The social order in Graves 4 culture is strongly hierarchically organized. People subordinate themselves to the authority of the state. When Graves 4 components are constructively integrated into a mature personality, the person has stability and a sense of responsibility.
Graves 5 – "Success and Achievement" – Individual-Oriented
The individual recognizes the sense of law and order and now simultaneously begins to strive for personal success. They see the world full of possibilities and opportunities. Rules and laws are "interpreted in a goal-oriented way," possibly partially bent, but at least no longer considered as important. Important values of the Graves 5 level are:
Success, prosperity, entrepreneurial thinking, performance & commitment, challenge, career, profit, goal and result orientation, productivity, value creation, "being the best," marketplace of opportunities, growth, expansion, financial freedom, excellent performance, competition stimulates, pragmatism, reward, "bigger & better," progress, science, "everything is possible!"
Graves 6 – "Team and Community" – Group-Oriented
The development of the Graves 6 value level is a return to human values:
Team spirit, allowing and expressing feelings, relationships, appreciation, group harmony, group we-feeling, collegiality, harmony, cooperation, humanity, being empathetic, equality, cooperation, social responsibility, understanding for others, peace & love, consensus - obtaining everyone's agreement, community, networking
From a societal perspective, in the concept of the social market economy, the "social" is the 6th balance to the 5th market economy: Equal right to education, healthcare, pension provision, and social security.
Graves 7 – "Freedom and Learning" – Individual-Oriented
The Graves 7 value level is the level of systems thinking. Personal development now becomes self-referentially the focus of motivation for the first time. The person at the Graves 7 level wants to self-actualize. Thinking becomes long-term and strategic. Important values are:
Systems thinking, freedom, learning, expanding knowledge, knowledge management, personal development, curiosity, talent development, individuality, individualization, self-realization, intellectual independence, vision, big picture thinking, uniqueness, synergy, inspiration, virtualization, recognizing connections, competence, functionality, usefulness, long-term strategies, flexibility, space for diversity and individual "truths"
Graves 8 – "Sustainability and Global Unity" – Group-Oriented
The central values of the Graves 8 level are:
Holistic and global sense of belonging to planet Earth, sustainability, wholeness, biosphere, synthesis, integration, for the good of all life, transcendence, biodiversity, ecosystem, posterity and future generations, global improvement, long-term consequences, world peace, holistic view, emotional/spiritual balance, humility, think globally and act locally
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