AQAL Integral: a holistic framework for pedagogic research

Abstract

AQAL is a methodology for the holistic mapping of multiple perspectives and worldviews. Developed by Ken Wilber and colleagues, AQAL Integral analysis is founded in AQ quadrant mapping, which assesses four viewpoints for every situation. These are the Interior Subjective intentional (I) perspective, the Interior Collective cultural (We) perspective, the Exterior Individual (It, she/he) behavioural perspective and the Exterior Collective (They, many, its) social perspective. Each AQ map may be further elaborated as part of a many-layered system. AQAL Integral has a small but growing footprint in Education and, independently, in Geography – especially Urban Studies and GIS.

Keywords:

• integral
• AQAL
• transformative learning
• perspective mapping
• Ken Wilber
• Geography fieldwork

Acknowledgements

I thank Lukas Scherak, University of Exeter, UK, for his comments on an earlier draft of this paper.