A Critical Review of the Validity of Ego Development Theory and Its Measurement

Abstract

Loevinger's (1976) theory of ego development represents an important and original approach to understanding personality development. More than 20 years have elapsed since the last substantial critical review of the validity of the theory and its measurement (Loevinger, 1979). Our article provides an updated critical review of the theory by reviewing the considerable body of research that has accumulated over the past 20 years. This review addresses the construct, predictive, and discriminant validity of ego development theory and the Washington University Sentence Completion Test (WUSCT; Loevinger & Wessler, 1970; Loevinger, Wessler, & Redmore, 1970) as its measurement. We conclude that there is substantial empirical support for the conceptual soundness of ego development theory and the WUSCT.

Ego development and aesthetic judgment styles in Iranian adults

“…The 18-item SCT has been previously used with adequate validity and reliability (e.g., King & Raspin, 2004). Previous work also suggests that this measure has good temporal stability, inter-rater reliability, and internal consistency (Manners & Durkin, 2001). Additionally, longitudinal studies indicate that the SCT successfully measures sequential stages of the development of personality (Redmore & Loevinger, 1979).…”

Triggers, Timing and Type: Exploring Developmental Readiness and the Experience of Consciousness Transformation in Graduates of Australian Community Leadership Programs

“…Although they may be outstanding individual contributors, managers at this stage tend to expect that their subordinates will do things their way and they give feedback in these terms. They often find it difficult to collaborate or delegate, tend not to ask for feedback themselves, and can be hostile if they feel their expertise is being challenged-yet they may also be quite self-critical (Manners and Durkin 2001;McAuliffe 2006;Rooke and Torbert 2005).…”

“…The Achiever stage is characterised by striving to achieve goals, the use of self-evaluated standards, self-criticism, having principled morality, mutuality in relationships and the recognition of multiple possibilities and perspectives in situations, thus enhancing the capacity for teamwork (Cook-Greuter 2004;Hy and Loevinger 1996;Manners and Durkin 2001;McAuliffe 2006;Rooke and Torbert 2005). Thinking and decision-making begins to moves beyond personal concerns to consider those of the wider organisation, field or society.…”

“…There is also growing awareness of inner conflicts and paradoxes (without requiring resolution) and a greater ease with change and uncertainty. Individualists have an increased understanding of complexity and systems thinking, as well as a broader and longer-term view of their organisation and society (Cook-Greuter 2004;Hy and Loevinger 1996;Joiner and Josephs 2007;Manners and Durkin 2001;Marko 2006;Pfaffenberger 2007;Torbert et al 2004).…”

“…Loevinger's (1976) constructive developmental stage theory of ego development (now more commonly referred to as 'consciousness development') provides a framework for understanding this growth through the lifespan. According to the theory, as growth proceeds there is increasing personal autonomy, greater flexibility, increased self-awareness, increased interpersonal awareness, increased capacity for reflection, greater tolerance for ambiguity and difference, as well as a decline in defences (Cook-Greuter 2004;Manners and Durkin 2001). Since it makes intuitive sense that such growth may be linked to greater leadership capacity and skill, it is not surprising that adult constructive developmental theories have been used to inform leadership and executive development interventions for many years (Cook-Greuter 2004;Kegan and Lahey 2001;Laske 1999Laske , 2003McAuliffe 2006;Palus and Drath 1995;Torbert et al 2004).…”