Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post

Sam988 · 08-10-2007, 03:45 AM

Level 3: Egocentric Level

“Express Self Now and to Hell With Others”

Level three, the egocentric values level, represents a shift to another expressive system. The individual at Level 3 is tough, bold, strong, and guiltless. He knows no authority other than his own moment-to-moment impulses. At Level 3, the individual believes he can conquer nature and exert his own influence on surroundings and other people. Action movies starring Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Swarzneger, and other “tough guy” characters tell the story of Level 3 behavior.

Level 3 individuals and societies are potentially the most dangerous and destructive of all the Levels. They are antisocial and independent with strong positive self images, high energy and a can-do attitude. They refuse to recognize limits to their self or their situation. 3's enjoy and seek out intense stimulation both physically and emotionally. Thrill-seeking and risk-taking are attractive to 3's.

There is a tendency for acting out, and Level 3's resist restriction and control by others. Their credo is “Dominate/Avoid domination”. Prisons are typically occupied by Level 3 inmates and managed by Level 3 wardens. Control is maintained by physical restraint and threat of bodily harm. Level 3 individual have minimal impulse control, patience, planning, or ability to foresee long range consequences of their actions. They are always on the defensive.

Management or training of Level 3's must focus on immediate gratification for approved behavior, and immediate punishment for incorrect behavior. In gatherings of Level 3's, it is “every man for himself” and team activities will not work well unless teams are placed into situations of intense competition involving physical contact and harm. Coaches of athletic teams frequently have to deal with Level 3 individuals, and sports such as football, basketball, soccer, rodeo, rugby, boxing, or wrestling are excellent outlets for Level 3 energy. Level 3's typically will not be attracted to watch or participate in sports involving aesthetic components such as figure skating, gymnastics, or diving. Level 3's have intense ego-driven pride, and shame and humiliation in front of their peers are the best means of control apart from physical punishment. 3's need a powerful, tough teacher, coach, parent, warden, who is not afraid to meet them on their own Level. Operant conditioning is a viable approach to behavior management of 3's with immediate rewards or punishment. On-the-job training is the best method for education or training. Learning experiences must be hands-on, practical, and have immediate utility to invoke interest in trainees at Level 3. In work situations, 3's prefer to be paid daily, or on a very frequent schedule. Deferred gratification is not available to 3's. In modern society (Level 4 and 5), Level 3's often occupy lower socioeconomic classes, taking menial jobs and transient jobs requiring strength or hard labor. Usually these are low paying and involve risk of physical harm, which often appeals to Level 3's.

The management structure for Level 3 is an empire or monarchy. There is one supreme authority, the “top dog” in a two-tier dominance hierarchy. Unlike the tribal chieftain at Level 2, the authority figure must use very strong methods to maintain control, as Level 3's are not as compliant and obedient as Level 2's are. Level 3's have begun to think for themselves and will test the limits of authority at any opportunity. The coach, warden, or drill sergeant will not tolerate behavior which is unacceptable. Response to unacceptable behavior is swift and costly, including physical punishment, loss of pay, or isolation. Communication is top down only. People at the same Level typically do not talk to same Level or higher ranked people because horizontal communication may lead to mutiny or rebellion against leader. Other examples of Level 3 include drug rings, pimps and their prostitutes, cults with a powerful charismatic leader, inner city street gangs, criminals, the Mafia, and the gun-toting sheriff in the Old West town, who dealt with the “bad guys” in a physically violent manner.

There is a wide range of expression at Level 3, from ruthless criminals to heroes, willing to risk life and limb. Our society abhors Level 3's at the lower end of the scale, and canonizes high-Level 3's who may find a role as protector and defender of those less able to take care of themselves. Action heroes and war heroes are extremely popular in our written and film literature. Like Level 2, Level 3 individuals are typically sensing-feeling on the Myers Briggs scale (SF).

Transition to Level 4 begins as the powerful 3 begins to lose power through aging, defeat, or the progression of previously inferior 3's into high positions in the dominance hierarchy. Level 3's depend on “survival of the fittest,” and when mortality becomes an issue, and they are no longer the fittest, new problems arise which cause the emergence of a Level 4 values structure. Consequences of earlier actions may be manifested, and the Level 3 begins to learn that some sort of impulse control can be beneficial. They seek a system where people follow the rules and have the possibility to live in peace and harmony with control and stability.

Continues below...
.
.
.
.

08-10-2007, 03:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sam988 Family Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,232	Level 3: Egocentric Level “Express Self Now and to Hell With Others” Level three, the egocentric values level, represents a shift to another expressive system. The individual at Level 3 is tough, bold, strong, and guiltless. He knows no authority other than his own moment-to-moment impulses. At Level 3, the individual believes he can conquer nature and exert his own influence on surroundings and other people. Action movies starring Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Swarzneger, and other “tough guy” characters tell the story of Level 3 behavior. Level 3 individuals and societies are potentially the most dangerous and destructive of all the Levels. They are antisocial and independent with strong positive self images, high energy and a can-do attitude. They refuse to recognize limits to their self or their situation. 3's enjoy and seek out intense stimulation both physically and emotionally. Thrill-seeking and risk-taking are attractive to 3's. There is a tendency for acting out, and Level 3's resist restriction and control by others. Their credo is “Dominate/Avoid domination”. Prisons are typically occupied by Level 3 inmates and managed by Level 3 wardens. Control is maintained by physical restraint and threat of bodily harm. Level 3 individual have minimal impulse control, patience, planning, or ability to foresee long range consequences of their actions. They are always on the defensive. Management or training of Level 3's must focus on immediate gratification for approved behavior, and immediate punishment for incorrect behavior. In gatherings of Level 3's, it is “every man for himself” and team activities will not work well unless teams are placed into situations of intense competition involving physical contact and harm. Coaches of athletic teams frequently have to deal with Level 3 individuals, and sports such as football, basketball, soccer, rodeo, rugby, boxing, or wrestling are excellent outlets for Level 3 energy. Level 3's typically will not be attracted to watch or participate in sports involving aesthetic components such as figure skating, gymnastics, or diving. Level 3's have intense ego-driven pride, and shame and humiliation in front of their peers are the best means of control apart from physical punishment. 3's need a powerful, tough teacher, coach, parent, warden, who is not afraid to meet them on their own Level. Operant conditioning is a viable approach to behavior management of 3's with immediate rewards or punishment. On-the-job training is the best method for education or training. Learning experiences must be hands-on, practical, and have immediate utility to invoke interest in trainees at Level 3. In work situations, 3's prefer to be paid daily, or on a very frequent schedule. Deferred gratification is not available to 3's. In modern society (Level 4 and 5), Level 3's often occupy lower socioeconomic classes, taking menial jobs and transient jobs requiring strength or hard labor. Usually these are low paying and involve risk of physical harm, which often appeals to Level 3's. The management structure for Level 3 is an empire or monarchy. There is one supreme authority, the “top dog” in a two-tier dominance hierarchy. Unlike the tribal chieftain at Level 2, the authority figure must use very strong methods to maintain control, as Level 3's are not as compliant and obedient as Level 2's are. Level 3's have begun to think for themselves and will test the limits of authority at any opportunity. The coach, warden, or drill sergeant will not tolerate behavior which is unacceptable. Response to unacceptable behavior is swift and costly, including physical punishment, loss of pay, or isolation. Communication is top down only. People at the same Level typically do not talk to same Level or higher ranked people because horizontal communication may lead to mutiny or rebellion against leader. Other examples of Level 3 include drug rings, pimps and their prostitutes, cults with a powerful charismatic leader, inner city street gangs, criminals, the Mafia, and the gun-toting sheriff in the Old West town, who dealt with the “bad guys” in a physically violent manner. There is a wide range of expression at Level 3, from ruthless criminals to heroes, willing to risk life and limb. Our society abhors Level 3's at the lower end of the scale, and canonizes high-Level 3's who may find a role as protector and defender of those less able to take care of themselves. Action heroes and war heroes are extremely popular in our written and film literature. Like Level 2, Level 3 individuals are typically sensing-feeling on the Myers Briggs scale (SF). Transition to Level 4 begins as the powerful 3 begins to lose power through aging, defeat, or the progression of previously inferior 3's into high positions in the dominance hierarchy. Level 3's depend on “survival of the fittest,” and when mortality becomes an issue, and they are no longer the fittest, new problems arise which cause the emergence of a Level 4 values structure. Consequences of earlier actions may be manifested, and the Level 3 begins to learn that some sort of impulse control can be beneficial. They seek a system where people follow the rules and have the possibility to live in peace and harmony with control and stability. Continues below... . . . .