The purpose of this study was to develop a test which would reveal a person's primary level of existence according to Clare W. Graves' model of adult psychosocial behavior. The sub-purposes of this study were (1) to translate Graves' theoretical levels of existence into discrete components of attitude and behavior which could then be assessed with a written test instrument, (2) to create such a written instrument, and (3) to test the instrument for reliability and validity. The general conclusion of this study is that the Levels of Existence test meets the standards of reliability and validity accepted within psychometrics sufficiently to recommend that it be revised with respect to certain details as specified in the study, and that further research be undertaken.

This study has a twofold purpose. The first is to develop a systems approach to education that is based on the seven levels of existence which were identified by Clare W. Graves. The second is to project and forecast the development of the eighth level of existence and to develop an approach to education for this eighth level. In order to establish an understanding of Graves' theory of the levels of psychological existence, an extensive study was made of Graves' papers, both published and private. Based on Graves' theory and the research of others in the field, an approach to education was designed for each of eight levels of existence—reactive, tribalistic, egocentric, absolutistic, achievist, sociocentric, existential, and experientialistic—that complements and utilizes the unique characteristics of each level. The design of each educational approach includes learning system, motivational strategy, evaluation procedure, classroom management, and facility design. The issues of student grouping by level of existence, assessment of the individual levels of existence, and matching of instructor and students by level of existence are also addressed.

This rhetorical study applies Clare W. Graves' "Level of Existence" or value systems theory to the English Neo-Classic and Romantic Movements. Graves' framework, which focuses on sacrificial (Tribalistic, Absolutistic, and Sociocentric) systems and expressive (Egocentric, Achievist, and Individualistic) systems~was utilized in analyzing the politics, society, religion, philosophy, and literature of the two periods. The Neo-Classic Period was dominated by sacrificial systems, especially Absolutistic, while the Romantic Movement was dominated by expressive systems, especially Achievist. This thesis suggests that man's cultural development, like his psychological development, appears to evolve in a spiraling, pendular motion between sacrificial and expressive systems.