The Hierarchy of Social Development, which is discussed in detail on this web site and in the book Discipline Without Stress, raises awareness for individual responsibility and promotes self-discipline. Teaching for a democratic society requires more than just choosing when to conform and when not to conform. When peer pressure is so compelling as to prompt people to do something that is personally or socially irresponsible, just knowing the levels of social development can have a liberating and responsibility-producing effect. As a result, discipline issues are diminished.
For example, a problem in many middle and high schools relates to studying and doing home assignments. Many students do not study or complete learning assignments because such effort is discouraged in the peer culture. The hierarchy can be a motivator in this regard. Students begin to realize that not turning in home assignments or not studying because of peer pressure is Level C motivation.
After exposure to the concepts, students begin to evaluate the level of their choices. Internalizing the levels can do much to foster desired behavior, individual responsibility, and increased self-discipline.
