Square of values and square of development

„Every value (every virtue, every guiding principle, every human quality) can only develop its full constructive effect if it is in sustained tension with a positive countervalue, a ’sister virtue.‘ Without this balance, a value degenerates into its devalued exaggeration.“ (Schulz von Thun, n.d.)

Schulz von Thun (1989) combined the „square of values originating from Nicolai Hartmann (1926) and further developed by Helwig (1967) with the idea of development for the concerns of interpersonal communication and personality development.“ (Schulz von Thun, n.d.)

The development square assumes four values, which must be kept in dynamic balance. Between the upper positive values, such as friendliness and reserved reserve, there is a positive tension/complementary relationship. Vertical to this are the devaluing exaggerations, such as exuberant aloofness and dismissive grumpiness. The connection between the lower unvalues represents the escape between one unvalue into the next unvalue when there is not enough strength to work one’s way up into the upper positive values. This could happen when one unvalue, for example an exuberant aloofness, is not well received by the other person and one concludes that one must do the exact opposite and thus goes to the other extreme. The diagonals in the model represent contrary opposites between value and unvalue.

The model also helps to explain intercultural conflicts and can be used in goal-setting discussions.

Literature

Schulz von Thun, Friedemann (n.d.): the values and development square. https://www.schulz-von-thun.de/die-modelle/das-werte-und-entwicklungsquadrat [13.01.2021].

Schulz von Thun, Friedemann (2010): The values and development square. A tool for communication analysis and personality development. In: TPS. Living, Learning, and Working in Daycare 9, 13-17.