Relativists are willing to critically examine their own perspectives and practice. They are even curious about these often tacitly held (unconscious) perspectives and practices. However, there is another important characteristic that Perry emphasizes. The relativists are doing all of this while sitting on the sidelines. They are studying the Robbers Cave results, but don’t go to the cave themselves or participate in a real-life adult experiment on attitude formation. If the relativists do go to the camp, then they are likely to find this camp filled with Dualists. The Dualists readily attend the camp if they assume that they can readily identify the “good guys” and that they have strong authority to back up their version of the Cave and camp. If the Relativists are “in charge” then Dualists are likely to wait impatiently for these Relativist leaders to “make up their minds” and take some action.
The Dualist is likely not only to grow impatient with Relativist delays, but also to grow suspicious of the Relativist’s ultimate alliance. It doesn’t take long for the Dualist to assign all Relativists to the bad (and evil) side of the two-partition bucket. Finally giving up, Dualists are likely to decide that action must be taken based on the Facts provided by other trusted authoritative experts. The Dualists provoke a revolution against the Relativists–thus enacting a polarization that parallels that of the boys in the original study. Alternatively, the Dualists leave this camp in order to find one where their version of reality is supported by authority. The “Cave” in this camp will be one in which they can find Serenity.
There is an alternative outcome of the adult Robber’s Cave experiment. It is an outcome that generates a different set of challenges. Instead of revolting (fight) or leaving the camp (flight) the Dualist might actually be influenced by the Relativist. They might be attracted to the world of curiosity offered by the Relativist (vision). Furthermore, the Dualists might find good reasons to finally doubt the experts that offer an alternative reality. When this cognitive and affective “revolution” occurs then the Dualists will shift their perspective. However, they typically do not become Relativists. According to Perry, there is not a move to Relativism. Instead, the Dualist embraced Multiplicity – which is a variant on dualism. If there the alternative authority can’t be trusted, then what’s to say that the Relativists can be trusted to provide the “truth.” Perhaps NO authority is to be trusted! Everyone is suspect. We are all on our own to find the truth and check out the Facts. The Multiplistic stance was on full display in American culture during the 1960s. It might also be the dominant perspective in our VUCA-Plus world of the mid-21st Century.
The Multiplist might not chose to enter the wonderland of Serenity—for it is filled with “true-believers” who can’t be trusted. However, the multiplist is also unlikely to accept the world of VUCA-Plus with its swirling uncertainty, ambiguity and complexity. They are likely to remain in some aimless state of alienation (from authority) and confusion (about what to believe). Neither Serentiy nor alignment with anything Essential is to be found in the heart and mind of the Multiplist. They are truly “strangers in a strange land.” Do they grow out of this alienation and confusion? Perhaps. Alternatively, there is always a cycle of addiction that numbs the alienation and confusion. What is to be done?
Conclusions
I would suggest that something can be done regarding challenges that both the Multiplists and Dualists face in dealing with the real world. Both can be met with understanding and appreciation for the transition of thoughts and feelings in which they are now engaged. William Perry notes that transitions at any level (be it from Dualism to Multiplicity or from Multiplicity to Dualism) are difficult. Each transition requires that we grieve the loss of contentment (and even loss of innocence) to be found at the previous developmental stage. It seems that we are being kicked out of multiple Edens on our way to a life of thoughtful action (Palmer, 1990).
