Psychosocial Pressures in Structural Hierarchies
Background to this Investigation
A large number of studies took place between 1980 and 2013. These are posted in the Frameworks prior to Theory section of the website. A number of puzzles emerged during these investigations, but were put to one side.
In 2013, I commenced looking across the various available frameworks. I was particularly focused on explaining resonance, the similarity of elements with similar formulae, and on understanding connections between some structures and the Root Hierarchy, originally noticed in 2009.
The Architecture Room was created at that time as a place to post investigations and findings. Psychosocial pressures were conjectured at that time, and their role progressively developed and ultimately assigned all parts of the Taxonomy. See a full picture here.
Very recently (2022-24) during investigation of the Q-expansions, it became apparent that it was necessary to distinguish a second psychosocial pressure for each Q-complex. The original (1°) pressure was essential for the Q-structure (i.e. its identity), but a separate (2°) pressure was in play for the operation of the Q-complex.
Subsequently, while developing a structural hierarchy for prospering (PH'6Q4sH), it became evident that a 2° operating pressure could be assigned to groups, while the previously assigned pressure was related to the groupings and was a 1° structural pressure.
While it seemed very likely that both 1° and 2° pressures would exist in all structural hierarchies, the question to be asked is whether the patterning was identical in each sort: Root, Primary, Spiral-derived, Q-based.
After some further study, a particular assignation of 2° pressures was settled on as shown below:
| G1 | G2 | G3 | G4 | G5 | G6 | G7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1°: Identity | Autonomy | Understanding | Performance | Certainty | Acceptability | Well-Being | Selflessness |
| 2°: Operation | Understanding | Performance | Certainty | Acceptability | Well-Being | Selflessness | Autonomy |
Checking the Assignment is Correct
Aside from a few name changes, the findings in the Architecture Room were not used to "correct" frameworks developed prior to theory. These studies can therefore be used to test certain ideas. In this case, is it possible to conclude from the accounts provided that the pressures are as claimed. Some of these accounts were used to develop the 1° pressures, but none were used to determine the 2° pressures.
I selected early structural hierarchy frameworks from the Root: RsH and RHCsH; and from all parts of the Primary Domain: Fundamentals, Spiral-complex, and Q-complex.
The AI Chatbot was therefore instructed to read these frameworks and determine whether the 1° and 2° pressure assignments are dominant from among the 7 possible pressures.
Scale used:
- Very strong: pressure is explicit or evidently indispensable.
- Strong: a necessary pressure with no comparably strong rival
- Moderate or Unresolved: plausible but not established as dominant.
- Weak or Contrary: not necessary or another pressure is more suitable.
Full details of this investigation have been preserved in Obsidian notes. Below are the conclusions reached.
PsH6: Realizing Values
Worked out in the late 1980's and published in 1995 in Working with Values. Preceded pressure conjectures.
1° Pressures: Very strong or strong across G1-G7
2° Pressures: G1-G2, G4-G7 Very strong: G3 Strong.
PH'1CsH: Expectations of Employment
Posted in 2011. Developed prior to pressure conjectures, but the current account includes taxonomic observations.
1° Pressures: G1-G5 Very strong; G6-G7 Strong.
2° Pressures: G1-G7Very strong.
RsH: Creativity in Endeavours
Posted 2012 prior to pressure conjectures.
1° Pressures: G1, G3, G5 Very strong; G2, G4, G6-G7 Strong.
2° Pressures: G1, G5, G7 Very strong: G2-G4, G6 Strong.
RsH": Producing Goodness
Posted 2009-2012 prior to pressure conjectures.
1° Pressures: G1-G4, G6-G7 Very strong; G5 Strong.
2° Pressures: G1, G5, G6-G7 Very strong: G2-G4 Strong.
PH'5Q2CsH: Organising Management
Developed in early 1990's prior to theory, and posted in 2014 with revisions.
1° Pressures: G1-G7 Very strong.
2° Pressures: G1, G3, G7 Very strong; G2, G4-G6 Strong.
PH'5Q4CsH: Shaping Institutional Evolution
Developed and posted 2021-23 with no pressures assigned.
1° Pressures: G1-G3, G5-G7 Very strong; G4 Strong.
2° Pressures: G1, G4- G7 Very strong; G2-G3 Strong.
PH'5Q4CsH: Functioning of a Philosophy School
Developed and posted 2021-25, but 1° pressures assigned explicitly.
1° Pressures: G1-G7 Very strong but not independent.
2° Pressures: G1, G4, G7 Very strong; G2-G3, G5-G6 Strong.
PsH7: Attempting the Impossible
Posted 2025-26 so not independent for either pressure.
1° Pressures: G1-G3, G7 Very strong; G4-G6 Strong.
2° Pressures: G1, G5, G7 Very strong: G2-G4, G6 Strong.
Conclusion
This AI-assisted investigation strongly supports the current assignment. However, it is not definitive proof.
Originally posted: 1-Aug-2026
