Dabrowski’s Positive Disintegration Theory

The theory of positive disintegration (PDT) is a complex theory of personality development developed by K. Dabrowski (1902-1980). TDP is not a theory of high ability in itself, but it can be used for its identification and description.

What is the meaning of my life? Why am I never happy? What do I live for? What am I doing in this world? Who am I really? Psychiatrist Kazimier Dabrowski coined the term disintegration to refer to what we commonly call existential crisis Positive disintegration would be a favorable resolution to these crises.

This theory, far from seeing existential crises and their manifestations as something pathological, presents them as necessary for the evolution of the individual and to achieve a higher level of development. It is as if each personality advancement is achieved by facing each of these existential questions.

According to studies carried out by Dabrowski himself and other authors, positive disintegration would be a typical characteristic of people who have high abilities. In this article we will explain the theory of positive disintegration and its relationship with high ability.

The Theory of Positive Disintegration

The theory of positive decay differs from most theories by present psychological discomfort and conflict as drivers of development

Positive disintegration presents personality development as the transition of the individual from lower levels to higher levels of development. To evolve the person It has to come into conflict with the values ​​on which you base your behavior The affront of conflict brings with it manifestations considered pathological or non-positive, such as anxiety, anger, hopelessness, etc.

These signs considered to be of poor mental health form, according to the theory of positive disintegration, part of a necessary process to successfully overcome difficult internal states and thus allow growth. It would only be through overcoming conflicts that people would become the best version of themselves.

On the other hand, Dabrowski highlighted the importance of emotions in development. He believed that a less rationalist theory of human development was necessary, where emotional factors were not considered unimportant, but rather as a key element in development.

Origins of this theory

Kazimier Dabrowski (September 1, 1902 in Klarów – November 26, 1980 in Warsaw) was a Polish psychiatrist and psychologist recognized by the theory of positive disintegration.

The basic assumptions on which he bases his theory are based on his personal experience. Dąbrowski’s childhood was deeply influenced by the First World War, which began when he was only 12 years old, and by his experience as a psychiatrist, where he carried out analysis on the lives of gifted people and people considered successful, where existential crises They tend to manifest more frequently and more intensely.

In these analyses, Dabrowski focused on determining the presence or absence of mechanisms that could favor psychological development and, therefore, the transition to more advanced levels of personality.

Dabrowski’s theory is based on the basic assumption that psychological development constitutes a transition from lower to higher ranges of mental understanding and processing, but that it is not a harmonious process. The development appears in response to an experience full of tension, internal conflict, anxiety and even where hopelessness and pain can appear.

According to this theory, the lack of inner struggle can only be found in individuals at the most primitive level of development (who have no potential to evolve) or when the highest level has been reached.

This proposal represented a new perspective on the theories of personality development that existed at the time. The theory outlined by Dabrowski has survived several decades and remains a persuasive and influential theory, especially for understanding and fostering the development of gifted children.

From clinical and biographical studies with gifted and high-status people, he extracted unique patterns of development and concluded that thoughts, feelings, and imaginative ability appeared to be above average in average, intensity, duration, and frequency.

What is positive disintegration?

The word “disintegration” can be confusing, since it usually has a negative connotation and is applied to situations in which something is lost.

However, according to the theory proposed by Dabrowski, It is when tragedy strikes and the previous sense of Self or identity “disintegrates” that the greatest potential for growth appears of a person.

Positive disintegration involves the escalation of the individual from lower to higher levels of development. Like a ladder in which we go up step by step.

In the first states, this conflict arises when the individual understands his individuality and how it confronts social values. This awareness would be considered the first positive disintegration.

Throughout life, new information may appear, both of internal or external origin, which leads the individual to rethink what one is and what one should be. These doubts create anxiety, nervousness and even psychoneurosis, and their resolution brings development. However, There is also negative disintegration, which instead of allowing development, leads to the blockage and dissolution of mental functions

The negative signs that appear during disintegration are considered by Dabrowski as positive, since they indicate an objective view of the conflict we are experiencing and are necessary to overcome it and reach a higher stage of development.

In the field of high abilities, it is a theory of great value from which to understand how the construction of the personality of gifted people evolves.

The development potential

Development Potential can be defined as the original endowment that allows the individual to develop in a context in which adequate social and physical conditions exist according to Piechowski.

A high development potential is synonymous with high capacity, and development potential expresses the relationship between individual development and a group of three factors capable of influencing it.

The first factor is heredity It is the most basic and instinctive level of the individual, it is the result of the expression of genetics and survival, it includes intelligence, overexcitabilities, special talents, body constitution, temperament, sexuality, hunger, etc.

The second factor is the environment The influences received through education, relationships and general social environment. This factor drives most of our everyday behavior.

Most theories that attempt to explain developmental processes generally emphasize these two factors and their combinations. What distinguishes Dabrowski’s theory from most developmental theories is the third factor.

Last we have the autonomous factor The third factor is the result of consciously choosing what we value and what qualities and desires we reject or pursue. This factor makes self-determination possible and is necessary for the emergence of creativity and advanced development. The third factor drives us to behave in a way that we consider most authentic to our true selves.

This third factor would be closely related to the degree to which positive disintegration occurs.

Personal development levels

According to the theory of disintegration, there are different levels of development, each one supposes a different and unique mental development structure, but directly related to the previous ones. Not all individuals progress through these levels. In fact, many stay stuck, immersed in crises that can lead to anxiety or depression.

Dąbrowski defines high potential people as people capable of progressing through the five levels and thus developing a fully integrated and altruistic personality. These five levels have been classified as:

1. Primary Integration

Primary Integration is the most basic and primitive level of development. This level derives from the first factor, with the satisfaction of basic needs and desires as the sole concern of the individual

It is the level that generally corresponds to young children. These have no need for deep or meaningful relationships with others, and they disdain empathy, sympathy, or any recognition of the needs and concerns of others.

2. Unilevel decay

Level two derives from the second factor, and focuses on conformity and social comparison At this level, the individual is concerned with “fitting in” and is easily influenced by his or her social group. Some individuals at this level will begin to question the values ​​and beliefs imposed on them by their social group and begin the process of discovering their own personal values ​​and beliefs.

3. Spontaneous multilevel decay

Individuals who began to question their own beliefs and values ​​at level two will begin to form their own beliefs and values ​​at level three. They will become aware of the discrepancy between “how things are” and “how things should be”, an awareness that will probably will trigger negative emotions, such as shame or guilt as they remember their mistakes and question themselves and their moral position.

4. Organized multilevel disintegration

Level three questioning and discovery gives way to increasingly goal- and value-directed behavior. The individual realizes who he is and who he wants to be, and how you should act to be authentic. Those at level four truly care about others and act on this empathy.

5. Secondary integration

The highest level of development in Dąbrowski’s theory is marked by alignment between personal values ​​and behavior, and the individual adapts his or her actions to work toward higher goals, such as the improvement of society at large. The individual has formed his ideal personality and experiences peace with himself All motivation is in the higher forms of empathy, autonomy and authenticity.

Overexcitabilities and High Abilities

Overexcitabilities are indicators of potential development and, therefore, of high capacity. Dabrowski highlighted the importance of these and said that emotional overexcitability must be at least as strong as the others to reach the highest level of development

In the research carried out by Mendaglio and Tillier (2006) “Dabrowski’s theory of positive disintegration and giftedness”, it was found that people with high abilities suffer more existential crises and who also tend to have high overexcitation. That is, they have a high imagination, a tendency to feel emotions more intensely and tend to be more impulsive.

These overexcitabilities can manifest themselves in five different areas.

1. Psychomotor overexcitability

Individuals with psychomotor overexcitability They have excess physical energy, they speak more frequently and faster than others tend to be impulsive and competitive, and resort to overwork to deal with stress or other problems.

2. Sensory overexcitability

These individuals They have an exaggerated response to the senses, and have a greater need to touch and/or be touched They may overeat and indulge in superficial relationships, but they are also likely to have a wide range of experiences interacting with others due to fear of loneliness and increased need for attention.

3. Imaginative overexcitability

People with overexcitability of imagination have a tendency to visualize, and they are likely to be inventive, highly imaginative, intuitive and have a greater capacity for the use of images and metaphors.

4. Intellectual overexcitability

Intellectually overexcitable individuals are persistent and voracious students, with a capacity for intense concentration and theoretical thinking. They are likely to ask a lot of questions and have an affinity for logic, puzzles, and mysteries

5. Emotional overexcitability

People with emotional overexcitability are likely to form strong bonds with people, places, and things. They can be very inhibited, enthusiastic and concerned about others, about social justice and about their own sense of responsibility. Generally, these individuals They are able to effectively feel and internalize the emotions of others

According to Dąbrowski, individuals with overexcitability have greater potential for personal development because they foster a different perspective on the world and encourage a more personal and meaningful interpretation of one’s own experiences.

Although the presence of overexcitability alone is not enough to progress through the five levels and reach the highest level, it plays a large role in the individual’s potential. Special talents and abilities and a strong third factor drive toward self-expression also influence a person’s developmental potential.

Research has shown that the most gifted and talented individuals also tend to have at least one type of overexcitability.

Dabrowski saw high-capacity subjects as a special group of people, with a tendency toward positive disintegration A condition that presents both creative possibilities and risks for the development of the person, since existential crises manifest themselves in a more problematic and intense way. In times of crisis, people with high abilities may stop being productive in class or at work and deteriorate their social relationships. That is why crises need intervention and support to overcome.