Multilevelness

Multilevelness refers to the awareness that there are qualitatively higher and lower ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It introduces vertical conflict: not just between alternatives, but between what is and what ought to be.

Individuals experience tension between their lower impulses or habits and higher emerging ideals. This creates the moral and emotional ground for transformation.

Core features:
• Moral sensitivity to discrepancies in behavior
• Evaluation of self in terms of internal ideals
• Directionality in personality development ("what should I become?")