A model of stage change explains the average rate of stage of development and its relationship to the predicted average stage ("smarts")

Abstract

A number of different previous methods for measuring “smarts” have led to the model of hierarchical complexity (MHC), a context free neo-Piagetian mathematical model of behavioral complexity. It provides a way to classify tasks as to their hierarchical complexity. Using the model of hierarchical complexity, this study examines how differences in rate of stage change results in a difference in the highest average stage (smarts”) attained by 70 year old adults. The average stage of development (“smarts”) was shown to be predicted by the log of age with an r = .79. It uses data from Colby, Kohlberg, Gibbs, Lieberman (1983) to test the model. It also predicts that on the average there is one stage of development during adulthood.