He felt that, because of their sensitivity and integrity, these individuals are capable of bringing humanity to a higher set of values, but that they are at great risk of being destroyed by society because of their inherent differences. Introversion, often perceived negatively in our extraverted society, is actually a developmentally positive trait since it indicates the capacity to inhibit aggression.ĭabrowski (1979/1994) described overexcitable people as: “delicate, gentle, sensitive, empathic, nonaggressive, industrious, wise though unsophisticated, never brutal, often inhibited, likely to withdraw into themselves rather than retaliate, having deep feelings, idealistic” (pp. Intensity, while a strong indicator of emotional OE, has at times been used synonymously with all the OEs (Kitano, 1990 Lind, 1993). Perfectionism begins as a facet of emotional OE, but can evolve into the drive for self-perfection propelling the individual toward higher level development (Silverman, 1990). Therefore, according to Dabrowski’s theory, gifted children who exhibit high degrees of sensitivity are endowed with high emotional OE. Sensitivity, perfectionism, intensity and introversion are all aspects of emotional overexcitability: “emotional ties and attachments, concern for others (empathy), sensitivity in relationships” “self-evaluation and self-judgment, feelings of inadequacy and inferiority” “intensity of feeling: e.g., extremes of emotion, complex emotions and feelings” and “inhibition (timidity, shyness)” (Piechowski, 1979, adapted in Silverman, 1993b, p. Numerous studies have shown the gifted to have stronger OEs than nonselected groups (see Nelson, 1989 Silverman, 1993b and Miller, Silverman & Falk, in press, for reviews). The greater the strength of the OEs, the greater the developmental potential for following an ethical, compassionate path in adulthood (Lysy & Piechowski. Individuals may experience one or more of these OEs at varying degrees of intensity. The overexcitabilities (OEs) may be thought of as an abundance of physical energy, heightened acuity of the senses, vivid imagination, intellectual curiosity and drive, and a deep capacity to care. He called this phenomenon “nadpobudliwosc,” (“superstimulatability”) it has been translated as “overexcitability.” This powerful neural excitation comes in five varieties: psychomotor, sensual, imaginational, intellectual and emotional. Through neurological examinations, Dabrowski (1972) documented that creatively gifted individuals had more pronounced responses to various types of stimuli. Dabrowski postulated that certain innate response patterns provide a foundation for the development of higher order values in adult life. He found such individuals oppressed in societies oriented toward competition, power, status, and wealth. Kazimierz Dabrowski (1964, 1967, 1972), a Polish psychologist and psychiatrist, based his theory of emotional development,(the Theory of Positive Disintegration) on the study of sensitive, nonaggressive, highly intelligent, and creative individuals. Their origin and significance are made clearer within the context of Dabrowski’s theory.ĭabrowski’s Theory of Emotional Development In combination, they demonstrate the emotional complexity of the gifted. While there are many more descriptors that apply to gifted children, these four - sensitivity, perfectionism, intensity and introversion - have particular developmental, psychological, and social salience. Introverts have deep feelings, are reflective and introspective, and withdraw into themselves rather than acting aggressively toward others. Another personality trait that characterizes at least half of the gifted population is introversion (Dauber & Benbow, 1990 Gallagher, 1990 Hoehn & Bireley, 1988 Myers, 1962 Silverman, 1986). Perfectionism and intensity also appear with great regularity in parental descriptions of gifted children (Silverman, 1993a). Sensitivity takes many forms: their feelings are easily hurt they are compassionate toward others, protective, and easily moved to tears they feel others’ feelings, respond strongly to criticism, and tend to react strongly to light, noise, textures, air pollution, and certain foods. When parents are asked to describe their gifted children, “sensitive” appears more frequently than any other trait (Silverman, 1983). His sensitivity and empathy, surfacing as early as nine months, appear to be innate. Antoine is one of over 1,800 children whose stories are recorded in clinical files at the Gifted Development Center.
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