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Von Bruno Frischherz - Das Constructive Developmental Framework (CDF) ist eine psychologische Entwicklungstheorie und das entsprechende Assessmentinstrument, das auf empirischer Forschung beruht. Der CDF-Methodologie liegt die Annahme zugrunde, dass jedes Individuum sich aktiv eine eigene “Welt” konstruiert, die von anderen Weltmodellen verschieden und lebenslang im Entstehen ist. Die CDF-Methodologie umfasst drei Assessmentinstrumente, je eines für die sozial-emotionale und kognitive Entwicklung einer Person, und eines für das psychologische Profil. Die CDF-Methodologie kommt überall dort zur Anwendung, wo es darum geht, Erwachsene bei ihrer lebenslangen Entwicklung zu unterstützen. Die Methodologie wird am Interdevelopmental Institute (IDM) in verschiedenen Programmen unterrichtet. Die empirische Grundlage der Methodologie gründet in der Forschung, die vor 40 Jahren an der Kohlbergschule begann. Diese Methodologie wurde seit 1998 durch Otto Laske durch das dialektische Denken der Frankfurter Schule und Hegel’s Philosophie erweitert. Diese Erweiterung zeigt sich vor allem darin, dass CDF strikt zwischen sozial-emotionaler und kognitiver Entwicklung unterscheidet und beide empirisch in Beziehung zueinander setzt. Download: Frischherz_2012_Constructive_Developmental_Framework_CDF_Wikipedia Read More...

By Karin Ulmer & Bruno Frischherz - Analyzing texts other than interview transcripts based on the DTF Framework taught at IDM is a new application of CDF. Our paper presents an example of dialectical text analysis with a focus on i) the analytical framework and CDF methodology and, as analysis content, ii) key concepts of green economy. Our article compares two institutional policy documents, one authored by the European Commission, and one by the United Nations Environmental Programme (produced in preparation to the UN Sustainable development Conference in Rio de Janeiro, July 2012. The methodology of dialectical text analysis Conclusions from the first part of this paper are that the CDF framework can be applied to written documents whatever topic they may deal with. The four classes of dialectical thought forms provide the analytical framework for measuring thinking processes documented in texts, while the four quadrants of integral theory provide a framework for seeing the world in terms of different perspectives. When we assume that each of the integral perspectives can be articulated in terms of the four quadrants of dialectic, we can determine the degree of dialectical sophistication with which each of the four integral perspectives is articulated in... Read More...

The article describes a methodology for teaching dialectical thinking that is based on Laske’s Dialectical Thought Form Framework (DTF; 2008). It outlines the historical origins of the framework; reasons for its focus on understanding others’ thinking documented in transcribed speech; its capability to assess the phase of dialectical thinking development of individuals; procedures of dialectical thinking rehearsal; and the components of the associated IDM certification program. Download: Laske_2011_Better_Thinking_in_a_Global_World Read More...

A collection of articles [mostly in English] on the Constructive Developmental Framework (CDF) by IDM Researchers, published on April 1, 2010, in Wirtschaftspsychologie, by Pabst Science Publisher. Download: Laske_ed_2010_Work_Capability_and_Adult_Development Read More...

This article explores how IDM's teachings relate to "Integral" and specifically Wilber's "AQAL" model. It further argues that an understanding of dialectical thinking as taught at IDM enables the learner to develop a critical perspective on Integral's core doctrines.   What Can IDM Offer the Integral Movement Read More...

This article shows dialectical thinking to be a natural outcome of cognitive development, surpassing formal logical thinking in its scope, degree of complexity, and holism. “Good thinking” is understood as thinking aware of its own thought form structure. This view is further substantiated by discussing the three strands of adult development including epistemic position. Integral thinking is seen as failing to maintain preservative negation because of privileging breadth-first over depth-first search. Autonomy_of_the_cognitive_line   Read More...