Question

Sadie loves her grandson Zack. But since he started college, Sadie feels he's been a bit too strident and confident in his opinions. But she can't be too upset. Sadie knows Zack will eventually become more reasonable with time and maturity.
According to Kegan's theory, Zack is in which stage of self-concept?

a) institutional
b) interindividual
c) imperial
d) incorporative

Answer 1

Answer: A. Institutional

Explanation: Kegan proposed that five or more stages are passed through as children grow or transcend into adulthood, the stages include; The INCOPORATIVE, IMPULSIVE, IMPERIAL, INTERPERSONAL and INSTITUTIONAL STAGE. with the incorporate stage being the earliest and the institutional stage being the last stage discussed by Kegan. Kegan described the institutional stage as the point or time when a child starts to develop behavioral principles, values, ideas, make commitments and nurture principles guiding their actions. At this point an individual starts to define and commit personalized attributes, behavior and personal set standard. This is as pointed out in the scenario above where Zach is said to have be one too strident in his opinion. This means that Zach now has committed to his own personalized value and guiding principle.