The founding issue of the Journal of Developmental Science was published in July 2026.
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Research/Journal of Developmental Science/Article
Theoretical ArticleOpen Access

The SPIRAL Framework as a Model of Reflective Human Development

Fredah Mainah, PhD[0009-0009-7949-523X]
SPIRAL With Fredah LLC
Journal
Journal of Developmental Science
Volume/Issue
Vol. 1, No. 1 (2026)
Pages
pp. 15–18

Abstract

This article presents the SPIRAL framework as a theoretical model of reflective human development. SPIRAL — an acronym for Self-observation, Perspective-taking, Integration, Reflection, Action, and Learning — is proposed as a recursive developmental cycle through which individuals move from unreflective functioning to increasingly sophisticated self-directed development. The article situates the framework within the existing literature on adult development, metacognition, and transformative learning.

Further Reading

Works for further study on the themes of this article.

  1. Baltes, P. B., & Staudinger, U. M. (2000). Wisdom: A metaheuristic (pragmatic) to orchestrate mind and virtue toward excellence. American Psychologist, 55(1), 122-136. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.122
  2. Davis, M. H. (1983). Measuring individual differences in empathy: Evidence for a multidimensional approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 44(1), 113-126. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.44.1.113
  3. Day, D. V. (2000). Leadership development: A review in context. The Leadership Quarterly, 11(4), 581-613. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(00)00061-8
  4. Flavell, J. H. (1979). Metacognition and cognitive monitoring: A new area of cognitive-developmental inquiry. American Psychologist, 34(10), 906-911. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.34.10.906
  5. Grant, A. M., Franklin, J., & Langford, P. (2002). The Self-Reflection and Insight Scale: A new measure of private self-consciousness. Social Behavior and Personality, 30(8), 821-835. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2002.30.8.821
  6. Mann, K., Gordon, J., & MacLeod, A. (2009). Reflection and reflective practice in health professions education: A systematic review. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 14(4), 595-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-007-9090-2
  7. Manz, C. C. (1986). Self-leadership: Toward an expanded theory of self-influence processes in organizations. Academy of Management Review, 11(3), 585-600. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1986.4306232
  8. Trapnell, P. D., & Campbell, J. D. (1999). Private self-consciousness and the five-factor model of personality: Distinguishing rumination from reflection. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(2), 284-304. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.76.2.284

Books by Our Authors

Titles by the authors of this issue and by the press's founder.

Keywords

SPIRAL frameworkreflective developmentself-observationmetacognitionadult developmentdevelopmental model
Open Access

Full text available as a PDF download. Published under CC BY 4.0.