FOUR STAGES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL GROWTH As we grow in years, hopefully we also grow in maturity. The progression of this psychological growth underlies our movement from childhood to mature adult: -
AS A CHILD my vulnerability makes me dependent on my parents, teachers and other adults. This infantile DEPENDENCE is immature over-reliance on the authority of others. It is not adult behavior. -
AS AN ADOLESCENT my need to grow creates a counter-dependence toward those I must now break away from. COUNTER-DEPENDENCE means resisting all authority no matter how appropriate or helpful the authority might be. This is the opposite Direction of Error of dependence; it is also immature behavior (although as teen-agers we didn't see it that way). -
AS A YOUNG ADULT my accumulated power and intelligence open up new possibilities for independent thought and action. This healthy INDEPENDENCE initiates my capacity for mature self-direction and is part of everyone's movement out of adolescence. -
AS A MATURE ADULT my experience, maturity and wisdom guide my power and allow an inter-dependence that can truly move the mountains of the world. INTER-DEPENDENCE combines self-direction with cooperation, and results in the ability to work mutually with others to achieve common goals. It is the psychological foundation for Complementary Wholeness. | 