Perry sees change as coming about through cognitive conflict. The three positions in dualism and relativism are considered to be structural stages. The three positions in commitment are affective stages, which describe the process of living through commitments. The three positions within dualism are differentiated based upon how one accounts for uncertainty. Someday, the right answers will be discovered.
Ideas have equal value.
Non-absolute evidence or standards for judgment within context are not yet integrated into the structure. A few right and wrong categories may still exist. Non-absolute evidence is available for making contextual judgments of better or worse but not for judgments of absolutely right or wrong. Life commitments are foreseen as one applies contextual criteria to identify issues. These positions are seen as attempts to reflect on and define one's identity as commitments are made and lived.