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Sam988 · 08-10-2007, 03:46 AM

Level 4: Systems Level

“Sacrifice Self Now for Salvation (or Attainment) Later”

Level 4 emerges as the second of the sacrificial levels, but instead of sacrificing self for the tribal leader, sacrifice is for the “One True Way.” Others who believe in the same “One True Way” will be seen as allies, and anyone who subscribes to a different way is an outsider or an enemy. Patriotism and group pride are Level 4 values. War is a Level 4 activity.

Level 4 is characterized by stability, conformity, obedience, sacrifice, and hard work. Level 4's are good and dutiful citizens who work hard for future reward and demonstrate commitment to the One True Way by sacrifice and discipline. Level 4's begin to look for meaning in life and have a concept of continuing existence after life, such as Heaven or Nirvana as a reward for their hard work and sacrifice and obedience to the rules during life. At Level 4, people tend to participate in numerous group affiliations that reflect the values of Level 4. Clubs, fraternal organizations, team sports, loyalty to one's school or community, political parties, organized religion, social, service and charitable groups are all examples of Level 4 organizations. Good Level 4's are always voters.

Abilities such as long-range planning, patience, and impulse control are well-developed in Level 4's. Retirement plans, social security, taxes and tithing are Level 4 concepts. Level 4's align with their perception of Truth, live according to societal rules and punish those who do not.

Level 4 is characterized by bipolar thinking, such as good/bad, right/wrong, black/white, them/us. Categorization and labeling of people, problems, and processes is a typical Level 4 way of thinking. Level 4's can easily lose touch with the middle ground and have trouble perceiving the gray zones. Power is acquired by playing the Level 4 games the best, and is awarded on the basis of perceptions of being an exemplary Level 4 participant. (Level 2 power is acquired by gender and age, Level 3 power is acquired by physical prowess.)

The person with positional power makes decisions, often with the input of his constituents. Frequently there is a power hierarchy. The organizational chart of a corporation shows the allocation of power and who holds authority over whom. This is the first Level at which a person can have superiors over him and subordinates under him simultaneously. Effort and time are required to move up through the power Levels, and rising leaders have to wait for those ahead of them to die off or retire. Communication in Level 4 organizations is both downward and horizontal. Participants can communicate with peers as long as everybody stays in their proper places.

Level 4 is the first Level in which the concept of guilt emerges. Group members are made to feel bad, inadequate, or wrong for noncompliance with group rules and norms. Guilt is a common method of control in Level 4 organizations, including families, organized religion, or social groups. Level 4 emphasizes fairness, equity, uniform treatment within the group. These guidelines only apply to group members, and alien groups may be punished, ostracized, discriminated against, or destroyed. Level 4's see themselves and their group as the "chosen ones” and dealing harshly with non-group members is an approved way to demonstrate the strength of one's beliefs in a Level 4 organization. Racism, destruction of Native American tribes, Ku Klux Klan, Salem witch trials, Nazi Germany, terrorism, labor unions, military organizations, and wars in the name of religion are all examples of Level 4 group structures and behaviors. These are all examples of zealots and fundamentalists who justify violent acts in the name of the cause. Level 4 groups always need a polarity system to oppose.

Teaching and training in Level 4 systems make use of corporal punishment for wrong answers or noncompliance. Indoctrination is moralistic. Participants believe that they will be rewarded when they complete the process, often in the form of income, a better job, or getting into a better school. Use of guilt and punishment to control students or trainees is standard procedure. The concept of goal setting emerges in Level 4, as group members can see what senior members have obtained or become through hard work, sacrifice, and delayed gratification.

Since Level 4 structures emerge from Level 3 structures there will inevitably be 3's living in Level 4 societies. Control of Level 3's by law and order is a consistent theme in Level 4 groups. The 4's see the 3's as a threat to their way of life, and the 3's see the 4's as potential victims that have material goods for the taking. Since Level 3's are noncompliant, independent, and not motivated by long-term rewards, there is a natural conflict. 4's often use 3's to do their dirty work, including undesirable or dangerous jobs, including lower ranks in the military.

On the Myers – Briggs Type Indicator, Level 4 corresponds to the STJ's. Sensing indicates that people see the world as a concrete, detail-oriented place, thinking indicates a preference for logic and analysis over feeling and emotion, and judgers tend to be critical, opinionated, and rigid.

The range of evolution at Level 4 is from fundamentalist and fanatical groups who actively seek out opposing groups to destroy, to functional governments and business organizations that allow some representation of participants.

Transition from Level 4 to Level 5 begins when individuals want to resist the long waiting process for success and rewards. The question “Why Wait?” begins to emerge, as people begin to want the good life now rather than later. They bring the values of hard work and material payoff with them to Level 5, but abandon the sacrificial group thinking.

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08-10-2007, 03:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sam988 Family Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,232	Level 4: Systems Level “Sacrifice Self Now for Salvation (or Attainment) Later” Level 4 emerges as the second of the sacrificial levels, but instead of sacrificing self for the tribal leader, sacrifice is for the “One True Way.” Others who believe in the same “One True Way” will be seen as allies, and anyone who subscribes to a different way is an outsider or an enemy. Patriotism and group pride are Level 4 values. War is a Level 4 activity. Level 4 is characterized by stability, conformity, obedience, sacrifice, and hard work. Level 4's are good and dutiful citizens who work hard for future reward and demonstrate commitment to the One True Way by sacrifice and discipline. Level 4's begin to look for meaning in life and have a concept of continuing existence after life, such as Heaven or Nirvana as a reward for their hard work and sacrifice and obedience to the rules during life. At Level 4, people tend to participate in numerous group affiliations that reflect the values of Level 4. Clubs, fraternal organizations, team sports, loyalty to one's school or community, political parties, organized religion, social, service and charitable groups are all examples of Level 4 organizations. Good Level 4's are always voters. Abilities such as long-range planning, patience, and impulse control are well-developed in Level 4's. Retirement plans, social security, taxes and tithing are Level 4 concepts. Level 4's align with their perception of Truth, live according to societal rules and punish those who do not. Level 4 is characterized by bipolar thinking, such as good/bad, right/wrong, black/white, them/us. Categorization and labeling of people, problems, and processes is a typical Level 4 way of thinking. Level 4's can easily lose touch with the middle ground and have trouble perceiving the gray zones. Power is acquired by playing the Level 4 games the best, and is awarded on the basis of perceptions of being an exemplary Level 4 participant. (Level 2 power is acquired by gender and age, Level 3 power is acquired by physical prowess.) The person with positional power makes decisions, often with the input of his constituents. Frequently there is a power hierarchy. The organizational chart of a corporation shows the allocation of power and who holds authority over whom. This is the first Level at which a person can have superiors over him and subordinates under him simultaneously. Effort and time are required to move up through the power Levels, and rising leaders have to wait for those ahead of them to die off or retire. Communication in Level 4 organizations is both downward and horizontal. Participants can communicate with peers as long as everybody stays in their proper places. Level 4 is the first Level in which the concept of guilt emerges. Group members are made to feel bad, inadequate, or wrong for noncompliance with group rules and norms. Guilt is a common method of control in Level 4 organizations, including families, organized religion, or social groups. Level 4 emphasizes fairness, equity, uniform treatment within the group. These guidelines only apply to group members, and alien groups may be punished, ostracized, discriminated against, or destroyed. Level 4's see themselves and their group as the "chosen ones” and dealing harshly with non-group members is an approved way to demonstrate the strength of one's beliefs in a Level 4 organization. Racism, destruction of Native American tribes, Ku Klux Klan, Salem witch trials, Nazi Germany, terrorism, labor unions, military organizations, and wars in the name of religion are all examples of Level 4 group structures and behaviors. These are all examples of zealots and fundamentalists who justify violent acts in the name of the cause. Level 4 groups always need a polarity system to oppose. Teaching and training in Level 4 systems make use of corporal punishment for wrong answers or noncompliance. Indoctrination is moralistic. Participants believe that they will be rewarded when they complete the process, often in the form of income, a better job, or getting into a better school. Use of guilt and punishment to control students or trainees is standard procedure. The concept of goal setting emerges in Level 4, as group members can see what senior members have obtained or become through hard work, sacrifice, and delayed gratification. Since Level 4 structures emerge from Level 3 structures there will inevitably be 3's living in Level 4 societies. Control of Level 3's by law and order is a consistent theme in Level 4 groups. The 4's see the 3's as a threat to their way of life, and the 3's see the 4's as potential victims that have material goods for the taking. Since Level 3's are noncompliant, independent, and not motivated by long-term rewards, there is a natural conflict. 4's often use 3's to do their dirty work, including undesirable or dangerous jobs, including lower ranks in the military. On the Myers – Briggs Type Indicator, Level 4 corresponds to the STJ's. Sensing indicates that people see the world as a concrete, detail-oriented place, thinking indicates a preference for logic and analysis over feeling and emotion, and judgers tend to be critical, opinionated, and rigid. The range of evolution at Level 4 is from fundamentalist and fanatical groups who actively seek out opposing groups to destroy, to functional governments and business organizations that allow some representation of participants. Transition from Level 4 to Level 5 begins when individuals want to resist the long waiting process for success and rewards. The question “Why Wait?” begins to emerge, as people begin to want the good life now rather than later. They bring the values of hard work and material payoff with them to Level 5, but abandon the sacrificial group thinking. Continues below... . . . .