By Adam Leonard

Keywords: integral communication, integral theory, communication, theories, methods, definition, methodology, integration, paradigm, wars, quadrants, developmental levels, developmental lines, states, types, developmental psychology, developmental waves, research, social science, integral methodological pluralism, value systems, America, culture, case study, applications, disciplines, development, philosophy, evolution, worldviews, Spiral Dynamics, SDi

Anyone tired of disciplinary fragmentation, sick of partisan bickering, and exhausted by an endless eclecticism probably desires a more comprehensive framework, a more integral vision. To integrate means “to bring together, to join, to link, to embrace. Not in the sense of uniformity, and not in the sense of ironing out all the wonderful differences, colors, zigs and zags of a rainbow-hued humanity, but in the sense of unityin- diversity, shared commonalties along with our wonderful differences” (Wilber, 2024, p. 2). An integral vision would orient the cornucopia of theories and methods, would inform purposeful action, would facilitate dialogue among academic disciplines, and would offer insight into the very consciousness holding the vision. Articulating such a vision is the integral project. Applying it to communication is integral communication. Communication might be thought of as mutual understanding within a shared intersubjective space. Or, perhaps communication is a transmission of information bits from a source to a receiver. What theoretical map embraces them both? The inside of communication could be studied qualitatively. Or, the outside of communication could be studied quantitatively. What paradigm includes them both? The integral project offers some clues to these enigmas. Attempts to answer these questions occupy the first three chapters. Chapter 1 expresses the need for theoretical integration within communication studies. Chapter 2 introduces the “All Quadrants, All Levels” (AQAL) integral model created by the American philosopher Ken Wilber (2000b). Chapter 3 outlines the challenges of methodological integration. Chapter 4 begins the transition into applying integral communication as a strategy, by drawing from each hand. Chapter 5 surveys the work of several researchers who study the evolution of value systems. Chapter 6 uses these four value systems within an integral communication strategy. Chapter 7 presents an informal case study documenting integral communication in action. Finally, Chapter 8 focuses on the transformative applications of integral communication. [Co-Director’s note: this paper includes the following elements of Integral Theory: developmental levels, developmental lines, quadrants of development, states, types. – Barrett]