“A bird who can soar”: overexcitabilities in the gifted

Journal Title: Educational Psychology - Year 2015, Vol 50, Issue 8

Abstract

Kazimierz Dabrowski, the author of the theory of personality development through positive disintegration, described five forms of intensified experiencing (overexcitability): psychomotor, sensual, imaginational, intellectual, and emotional. Because these forms of experiencing are outside the norm, they are often treated as pathological symptoms of an unbalanced mind. Consequently, we must have an understanding of the meaning of what is normal. Instead of holding onto the statistical concept of norm, which is misleading, it is better to rely on the biological concept of what is normal. Besides positive disintegration and overexcitability Dabrowski introduced a number of other concepts, such as, developmental potential, positive maladjustment, inner psychic transformation. These concepts, and the phenomena they describe, are important for the understanding of development and education of gifted and creative youth.

Authors and Affiliations

Michael Piechowski

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP80356
  • DOI -
  • Views 211
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How To Cite

Michael Piechowski (2015). “A bird who can soar”: overexcitabilities in the gifted. Educational Psychology, 50(8), 107-121. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-80356