Dabrowski 101 - An Introduction to the Theory of Positive Disintegration

Chris Wells and Emma Nicholson delve into Dabrowski's theory of positive disintegration, providing a modern take on the theory based on their deep understanding and lived experience. They discuss the concepts of overexcitabilities, multilevelness, dynamisms, and the transformative journey towards self-discovery and personal growth. The episode explores the challenges and rewards of navigating through unilevel and multilevel disintegrations, emphasizing the importance of values and conscious choices in shaping one's personality. Join them as they share insights, personal experiences, and resources to help listeners understand and apply Dabrowski's theory in their own lives.
- 2024 Dabrowski Congress information: dabrowskicenter.org/DC2024
- Register for the Congress at dabrowskicenter.org/register
- Want more information about our upcoming courses? Register your interest here: dabrowskicenter.org/courses
- Visit Positive Disintegration on Substack at www.positivedisintegration.org
- Emma and Chris co-host the Positive Disintegration Podcast ‪@positivedisintegrationpodc401‬
- Check out Emma's channel Adults with Overexcitabilities ‪@adultswithoverexcitabiliti3367‬
- Visit the Dabrowski Center's website: dabrowskicenter.org
Resources from the video:
“The prefix over attached to ‘excitability’ serves to indicate that the reactions of excitation are over and above average in intensity, duration, and frequency.” Dabrowski, 1996, p. 7, (Multilevelness of Emotional and Instinctive Functions).
"Making multilevelness the central concept in the approach to development means that we have to apply it to every phenomenon under scrutiny. It means that we are using a new key, or paradigm, with which to approach human behavior and its development. It now becomes less meaningful to consider, for instance, aggression, inferiority, empathy, or sexual behavior as unitary phenomena, but it becomes more meaningful to examine different levels of these behaviors." Dabrowski, 1996, p. 10, (Multilevelness of Emotional and Instinctive Functions).
“Discovering in ourselves higher levels of development, higher tendencies, and sensitivities, we simultaneously create them.” Dabrowski, 1994, "The Heroism of Sensitivity," an interview in Advanced Development Journal.
"Do not run from yourself but conquer yourself!" P. Cienin, 1972, p. 40, (Existential Thoughts and Aphorisms).
“Movement from “what is” to “what ought to be” opens a channel for resolution and direction of developmental tensions. When this channel is not open, as in unilevel disintegration, the tensions lead to severe psychosomatic illness, psychosis, or suicide.” Dabrowski, 1977, p. 43, (Theory of Levels of Emotional Development, Vol. 1)
“Crises are periods of increased insight into oneself, creativity, and personality development” Dabrowski, 1964, p. 18, (Positive Disintegration)
- The lists of dynamisms were also from Dabrowski, 1977, pp. 45-46. Download a PDF at dabrowskicenter.org/1977
- For more on "nervousness" and the history of overexcitability: dabrowskicenter.org/origins
- The book we mentioned on the slide with five types of OE was "Mellow Out," They Say. If I Only Could" by Michael M. Piechowski, which is available from Royal Fireworks Press or other booksellers.
- Forms and Expressions of Overexcitability (PDF): dabrowskicenter.org/table-1
- The following papers from Michael M. Piechowski include case studies of moral exemplars and can be found in our Piechowski Archive at dabrowskicenter.org/mmp
- Piechowski (1990): Inner Growth and Transformation in the Life of Eleanor Roosevelt
- Piechowski (1992): Etty Hillesum: “The Thinking Heart of the Barracks”
- Piechowski (2009): Peace Pilgrim, Exemplar of Level V