The Developmental Spectrum and Psychopathology: Part I, Stages and Types of Pathology

I have, in a series of publications (Wilber, 1977; 1980; 1981b; 1983), attempted to develop an overall or spectrum model of psychology, one that is developmental, structural, hierarchical, and systems-oriented, and that draws equally on Eastern and Western schools. Vis avis psychopathology the conclusion I reached was that the spectrum of consciousness is also a spectrum of (possible) pathology. If consciousness develops through a series of stages, then a developmental "lesion" at a particular stage would manifest itself as a particular type of psychopathology, and an understanding of the developmental nature of consciousness-its structures, stages, and dynamics -would prove indispensible to both diagnosis and treatment.