Theory of Positive Disintegration Presentation in Action

Presented by Dr Marie-Lise Schläppy, Dr Tracy Cooper

The theory of positive disintegration (TPD) by K. Dabrowski has often been used in the field of gifted education, especially the overexcitabilities. The theory has many components and one of the less known aspects of it are the dynamisms. These are the processes or feelings that accompany transitions from one dabrowskian level to another. In this presentation, Dr Schläppy will first introduce the TPD dynamisms and then present two studies linking dynamisms to gifted adults (MENSA members) and to highly sensitive persons. The results of both studies suggest that high sensitivity coupled to giftedness could be a good predictor of high development potential through disintegrative processes. Dr Schläppy will also present 2 studies that are currently underway. In the first study highly sensitive persons are asked to rate their ability to self-regulate and whether their subjective well-being has changed after taking a course on TPD. In a second study on suicide prevention, the TPD dynamisms are used to test whether young people with suicide ideation show signs of disintegration as measured by the TPD dynamisms. The presentation will finish with an opportunity to ask questions and to debate on TPD and its practical use.