Overview
James W. Fowler developed a seven-stage model of faith development, outlining the evolution of individual faith from infancy through adulthood and emphasizing psychological, cognitive, and spiritual growth.
Stage 0: Primal or Undifferentiated Faith (Birth–2 years)
- Trust and security are formed through consistent care and environment.
- Early experiences shape foundational feelings of trust or mistrust toward the universe and the divine.
- Comparable to Erikson's trust vs. mistrust and Piaget's sensorimotor stage.
Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith (Ages 3–7)
- Children use language and symbols but lack formal religious beliefs.
- Faith is influenced by stories, images, and intuitive perceptions of right and wrong.
- Aligned with Piaget’s pre-operational stage.
Stage 2: Mythic-Literal Faith (Ages 7–12)
- Religious beliefs focus on fairness, justice, and reciprocity.
- Metaphors are taken literally, leading to potential misunderstandings.
- Corresponds to Piaget’s concrete operational stage.
Stage 3: Synthetic-Conventional Faith (Ages 12–Adult)
- Faith ties closely to religious institutions or authorities, shaping identity.
- Conflicts with beliefs are typically ignored for security.
- Begins formal operational thinking; abstract view of the divine emerges.
Stage 4: Individuative-Reflective Faith (Mid-20s to Late 30s)
- Individuals take personal responsibility for beliefs, leading to introspection and complexity.
- Recognition of nuance and open-mindedness may cause inner conflict.
Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith (Midlife and Beyond)
- Acceptance of paradox and mystery within faith.
- Move beyond inherited traditions, embracing multi-dimensional perspectives.
- Able to hold multiple truths simultaneously.
Stage 6: Universalizing Faith or Enlightenment (Later Adulthood)
- Rarely achieved; marked by compassion for all and transcending religious differences.
- Exemplified by figures like Leo Tolstoy, emphasizing universal values, asceticism, and compassion.