Clare W. Graves

Clare W. Graves was a psychologist who developed a theory explaining how human values and worldviews evolve over time. He suggested that as individuals and societies face new challenges, their beliefs and priorities shift through different stages, similar to levels in a ladder. These stages reflect varying ways people find meaning, from basic survival to complex, self-actualizing motives. His work helps explain cultural differences and personal growth, emphasizing that human development is an ongoing process driven by changing needs and circumstances. Graves' model is widely used in understanding human behavior, education, and organizational change.