Levels of Development Explained

An In-Depth Look

What’s The Difference?

External vs. Internal

The Levels of Development explains the difference between external motivation and internal motivation.

Although technically all motivation is internal, being able to articulate something outside of ourselves that prompts or motivates will help us make more responsible decisions.

Keep in mind that it is the effect of the Levels of Development—how people grow—that makes learning the levels (concepts) so valuable. Think of the Levels of Development as rubric or reference for making decisions in life.

The Levels of Development has four levels (concepts). As with any hierarchy, the most advanced or highest level is placed at the top.

Level D - Democracy (highest level)

• Develops self-discipline

• Demonstrates initiative

• Displays responsibility

• Does good because it is the right thing to do

• The motivation is INTERNAL

The term “Democracy” is used because democracy and responsibility are inseparable.
Motivation at this level brings the most satisfaction and is the major contributor to healthy self-esteem.

A woman wrote me that when she left the food market and arrived at her car, she realized that she did not pay for the lime she was holding. No way did she want to walk back and pay the 10 cents. However, she knew the Levels of Development and reflected on what was the right thing to do. She walked back to the nearest cashier and apologized for leaving the market without paying the 10 cents. The cashier thanked her, and the woman said that the feeling of satisfaction was so strong that she felt compelled to share it with me.

This point is critical for young people to understand: The most satisfying of all rewards is that which comes from one’s own efforts⁠—especially doing what is right because it is the right thing to do.

Level C – Cooperation/Conformity

• Considerate

• Cooperates

• Complies

• Conforms

• The motivation is EXTERNAL

We cooperate with others in order to live in a civilized society. Most of us live our lives at this level. Action at this level is often prompted by motivation to please others, receive a reward, or to avoid a negative consequence.

A danger exists at this level, however, when the young conform and comply to peer influence that may not be in society’s or in the person’s best interests. Example: a youth wants to belong to a group of peers who all smoke. What do you think the youth will do to be like and liked by the others? The youth will be prompted by external motivation—to conform to the others and will start smoking.

The Difference Between D and C

The difference between Level D and Level C is in the motivation—rather than in the behavior. Another example: A youngster is asked (Level C –external motivation) to pick up trash. However, if the person sees the trash and takes the initiative to pick it up WITHOUT BEING ASKED, the motivation would be Level D. The action of disposing the trash is identical in both C and D; the difference is in the motivation. NOTE: Level C is expected. Level D is voluntary. The objective is for young people to reflect on their motivation: EXternal vs. INternal.

These two higher Levels of Development refer to MOTIVATION and are BOTH acceptable—and describe how most of us live our lives most of the time.

Now on to the two lower Levels of Development below that refer to BEHAVIOR and are NOT acceptable.

Level B – Bullying/Bossing

• Bosses others

• Bothers others

• Bullies others

• Breaks laws and makes own standards

• Must be bossed to behave

This level is characterized by a lack of impulse control, a lack of consideration for others, and by displaying inappropriate behaviors. When behaving at this level the young are sending the message, “Control us because we are not capable of controlling ourselves.”

Level A – Anarchy (lowest level)

• Absence of order

• Aimless and chaotic

• Absence of government

• This level is characterized by chaos, being out of control, or unsafe.

• Anarchy is the fundamental enemy of civilization.

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