An Integral Analysis of Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Among Adolescents

This case study focused on teaching self-compassion to adolescents through a mindfulness program. Self-compassion involves being kind towards oneself, understanding that we are all part of common humanity, and mindfulness. This multi-methods study was grounded in integral theory, which examines self-compassion through multiple lenses with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The findings indicated that a mindfulness program teaching self-compassion had many benefits to students, including increased mindful awareness and focused attention; emotional awareness and regulation; self-awareness, self-kindness, and self-acceptance; resiliency and growth mindset; compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness for others; and a belief it could reduce bullying in schools. Mindfulness programs in the school context will need to be introduced slowly over the next several years as students, parents, teachers, and administrators all have to understand the importance of these skills before they can be implemented into the classroom.

Integral Post-Analysis of Design-Based Research of an Organizational Learning Process for Strategic Renewal of Environmental Management

This chapter is based on a design-based research study of organizational learning and on a subsequent integral analysis of how and why organizational learning did, and did not, occur in the study. Integral theory is applied to deepen the understanding of how human organizations learn and adapt as complex adaptive systems made up of nested, operationally closed groups and individuals. The level of development and learning potential of an organization, as holon, can be understood as an emergent property resulting from the coordination of function and action of the unities that make up the system, even given that the levels of development and learning potentials of the groups and individuals in an organization are not consistent across the organization. The advantages of combining complexity and integral theory are explored, as both are understood to provide different, complementary interpretations of whole human systems.

Creating a Culture of Inclusion in Pre-Kindergarten

The purpose of this study was to understand how beliefs, understandings, and pedagogical practices of early childhood educators affect, and are affected by, their relationships with children, classroom team members, parents, and colleagues, as they create an inclusive culture in a pre-kindergarten classroom. To explore this research problem from multiple perspectives, integral theory was selected as the conceptual framework, and a multi-methods exploratory sequential design was employed using integral methodological pluralism. Data about educational experiences, culture, behaviors, and systems, were collected from five early childhood educators in pre-kindergarten classrooms in four urban schools, followed by a questionnaire of classroom practices, document analysis, and a focus group. Findings revealed that important factors for creating an inclusive classroom culture included: early childhood educators' positive beliefs toward inclusion; a social constructivist theoretical perspective; and the ability to build strong relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.

An Integral Analysis of International Mindedness

The purpose of this chapter is to report on a study that examined contextual interpretations of international mindedness by International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme students in different school contexts in the Czech Republic. The conceptual framework was based on Wilber's integral theory and integral methodological pluralism, a novel application in the study of international mindedness. Using an empirical methodology, international mindedness was shown to be widely applicable, developmental, and experiential in nature. Through a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology, findings revealed the experience of international mindedness was characterized by the development of an intercultural identity, the ability to take alternate perspectives, and the capacity to resolve disconnection from important people in their lives. Contextual factors of privilege and exposure to diversity also influenced students' experience of international mindedness. Implications for improving education for international mindedness at the level of the school and the IB organization are discussed.

Integral Meta-Impact

Integral theory presents as a theory of everything. As such, how do we validate its use while applying it as a methodology and investigating its blind spots? Meta-theory methodology can authenticate integral theory and provides a check on its comprehensiveness. The methodology draws on relevant mid-range theories and integral theory (a meta-theory itself) to refine and justify a study's methods while simultaneously applying theory to specific research. This rigor creates clarity and insight. Complex issues—for example, the concept of sustainability that illustrates this chapter—are characterized by many different (mid to meta, conceptual to applied) theoretical approaches. Meta-theory methodology assists to sift these, highlight critical points, and realize integral theory's promise.

Cultivating Compassion in an Upper Elementary School Classroom Community

This chapter explored the notion that compassionate behaviors can be learned or cultivated among elementary school students through mindfulness practice in the classroom. Integral theory served as the conceptual framework for the research questions, the methodology, and the analysis. The investigation thus unfolded as a narrative inquiry using a mixed methods approach and informed by integral methodological pluralism to relate the story of one classroom. Increased self-awareness, happiness, and calm were observed in the students and teacher alike as a result of mindfulness practice. The integral analysis determined that these positive effects were persistent for all involved and pointed to the potential benefits of adopting mindfulness practice at the system level.

CoS and Effect

The science that is done by students in grade school settings naturally differs considerably from that done by actual scientists. While much of this difference is attributable to differences in age and experience between the two groups, it may be possible to decrease the gap between the learner and the researcher in science. To explore this possibility, an educational design research (EDR) study was conducted from the perspectives of complexity and networks, communities of practice, and integral theory, the goal being to assess the potential outcomes of engaging learners in a student-led science conference called the celebration of science (CoS).

Methodological Pluralism and Graduate Student Research in Education

This chapter surveys the range of research attitudes and methodological positions that are represented in contemporary educational research. Oriented by integral methodological pluralism, the discussion includes an analysis of the diverse ways that research foci are conceived, the sorts of conceptual and methodological distinctions that are necessary to deal with different research attitudes, associations to broader categories of scientific study, types of intention manifest in educational research, and varied criteria for claims to truth. The chapter concludes with considerations of the nature and place of methodological pluralism in graduate-level research, specifically, and educational research, more generally.

The Development of Creativity

The purpose of this chapter was to investigate creativity in adolescents and young adults and its role in psychological development. For this qualitative research, hermeneutic phenomenology/ontology linked with the narrative/biography methodology was chosen. To interpret the data, the pattern models of creativity were generated, by applying the concepts of complexity science, especially self-organization, with the theory of positive disintegration and the psycho-evolutionary theory of emotions. It was discovered that the process of creativity in young people is intertwined with the strong emotions of passion, curiosity, enthusiasm, and delight. These emotions are the driving forces that generate order and complexity not only in the creative process but also in overall psychological development. The presence of these strong emotions often contributes to lesser tension in young people's development, including a greater ability to integrate their experiences, to take their psychological development into their own hands, and to find direction for their future.

An Integral Analysis of Wellbeing in Adults With Characteristics of High Functioning Autism

Quality of life is generally assessed through objective measures including conditions relating to material living, productive activity, health measures, education levels, and economic standing. In contrast, wellbeing is a complex process involving subjective evaluation of the qualities and experiences that make life good. Research is plentiful with studies exploring autism and quality of life. Less information is available relating to wellbeing and autism, especially from first person perspectives. This research explored how autism characteristics shape understanding and experiences of wellbeing in individuals with characteristics of high functioning autism. The study made use of a multi-method research framework, integral methodological pluralism (IMP), based on Ken Wilber's integral theory, for gathering and understanding knowledge from diverse perspectives, styles, and methodologies. Findings contributed towards a more coherent and inclusive understanding of personal wellbeing in high functioning autism.