The Integrator has a 4th person perspective. They can see things from their 1st person perspective, take on a 2nd person perspective of another person or group via empathy, integrate a 3rd person and see themselves as an object, take on a 4th person perspective of understanding multiple perspectives.

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Integrators now realize that things are not necessarily what they seemed at earlier stages because the interpretation of reality always depends on the position of the observer. Thus the idea of myself as a participant observer as well as having multiple perspectives becomes fascinating to explore. Once we realize that as observers we inevitably influence what we observe, pure, detached, that is “objective” judgment becomes impossible. This individual discovery is supported by more recent challenges to the rational/scientific assumptions of the Newtonian. A big discovery for this stage is the relativity of points of view. When people first become aware of this, they may see everything as relative and reject any prior certainties including scientific knowledge as absolute and therefore “false.”

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The 4th person perspective allows individuals to focus on how they came to believe what they believe and feel and how one knows and proves things. Stage 4/5 persons become interested in watching themselves trying to make sense of themselves. At this stage of differentiation, individuals realize that all groups and societies see it as their mandate to mold the minds and hearts of their members. We cannot help but filter our observations through our personal and subjective lenses. Simultaneously, once we also allow for the validity of others’ personal views and perspectives, we can no longer disregard the enormous diversity of people and their beliefs, values and preferences. They are all seem equally valid and worthy of consideration.

Since their focus is on community, getting a long with with others, being caring and compassionate, etc to a large degree they give up on more individual pursuits. Most individuals need to make a living to survive. Sticking with a job one may not totally like and getting along with others who do not appreciate constant questioning is thus a requirement for most adults no matter how creative and post-conventional one may be. It takes experience at this stage to realize that successful living likely requires some of the earlier values.

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The 4th Person Perspective Details:

• Cognition: recognition of multiple perspectives, beginning awareness of the complexity of systems and cultural conditioning

• Relativism: discovery of non-objectivity as participant-observer, and of the potential for defensive self-deception

• Positive expression: vivid individualism. Focus on and relishing experience in the present, listen to every voice, honor all ideas equally

• Truth: can never be found; everything is relative; there is no place to evaluate anything with certainty (postmodernism).

• Fear of being sucked back into the conventional mindset and constrained by its demands

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Healthy Expressions

Attention for emotions and exploring the inner being of self. A need for community and gathering. Personal development as the basis for collective development. Accepting differences. Attention, care and compassion for all people and the Planet. Open, loving, warm, empathic and helpful.

Unhealthy Expressions

Appeasing, avoiding conflicts, soft and patronizing. Conflicts are not addresses because harmony is more important and should not be compromised. When the Egalitarian adopts her own wisdom as the only truth it becomes limiting and exclusive and it will exclude everyone who’s not an Egalitarian. Conversations tend to take longer and results may not be achieved because of the continuous search for consensus and the need to include everyone in the process.