A. The Perry Theory
The Perry theory specifies a sequence of stages of development, as well as allowing for fixation at, and retreat from its levels. For simplicity we consider only three of the stages, Dualism, Multiplicity and Relativism. The theory does not end at Relativism, continuing through several stages of Commitment. However these stages do not represent a radical re-structuring of beliefs, so much as the entrenchment and intergration of Relativism into the whole personality. For underlying the Perry Scheme is the assumption that intellectual and ethical development begins embedded in an unquestioned set of beliefs, progresses through several leves of critical detachment, and then re-embeds itself in a commitment to a set of intellectual and ethical principles. Thus the three stages considered here suffice to distinguish structurally different ideologies.