Type

Approximate minimum Age

Stages of development Potter: Some say the Neonate is a Tabla Rosa, devoid of spiritual theories. Others say that they bask in the after glow of a previous spiritual existance, divine and wonderous. It seems best to think of the neonate as a divine potential. Being human, the neonate takes part of divine and animal qualities, each seeking to experience the world. Together, they are what the child can be and must be. Focus is upon surface qualities, as portrayed by adult models. This stage depends upon fantasy. Conceptions of the divine reflect a belief in magic. Fantasy ceases to be a primary source of knowledge at this stage, and verification of facts becomes necessary. Verification of the truth comes not from actual experience but from such authorities and teachers, parents, books and tradition. This child is entering Piaget's codification stage. Faith is still conventional and depends on a consensus of opinion of other, more authoritative persons. Now the person moves away from family influence and into new relationships.

Divine Primitive

Stage 1 First year

Intuitive Projective

Stage 2 1-3 years

Mythical Literal

Stage 3 3-6 years

Poetic Conventional

Stage 4 6-12 years

Individuating Reflective

Individuals in this stage begin to assume responsibility for their own beliefs, attitudes, commitments, and lifestyle. The Stage 5 12-18 years faith learned in earlier stages may be disregarded, and greater attention is paid to one's own experience.
The elements of faith, ritual, symbols and beliefs start to become understood and consolidated. The person begins to realize that Stage 6 18-35 years other approaches to dealing with such complex questions as the supernatural and supreme being can be as valid as their own.

Paradoxical Consolidation

Universalizing

Here the individual lives in the real world but is not of it. Such persons do not merely recognize the mutuality of Stage 7 35-60 years existence; they act on the basis of it. The person at this stage appear to be truly genuine and lack the need to "save face" that exists at earlier levels From Kohlberg. Those who rise above the purely cognitive and achieve a place where they transcend logic. They come to understand why one should be just and ethical in a world that is unjust. They posses a burning love of universal humankind pressing them to improve the human condition

Transcendent

Stage 8 60 above

SPIRITUAL THEORY James W. Fowler "Stages of Faith" Fowler's research and theories are similar to the work of two famous psychologists. Jean Piaget was famous for his cognitive development theories while Kohlberg is known for his work in moral reasoning. Fowler's theory of spiritual development stretches from infancy to old age. Although not an age- related stage theory, Fowler believes that all people go through stages of spirituality during their lives.