“[T]here are people, not few in number, in whom, besides the schematically described cycle of life, there arises a sort of ‘sidetrack,’ which after some time may become the ‘main track.'” ~ Kazimierz Dabrowski
How are some people driven toward personal growth and their self-chosen ideals, while others appear to stay where they lay?
Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration can shed some light on this question as it focuses on positive aspects of mental health and the essential role of emotional development and positive values in guiding growth towards a personality ideal.
According to Dabrowski, we can think of a usual “cycle of life” being driven mainly by the instincts of self-preservation, sexuality and reproduction, material survival …show more content…
And thus Positive Disintegration is often triggered by physical changes such as puberty and menopause, personal tragedies such as the death of a loved one or natural disasters, or any experience that creates disruptions and tension in our emotional life.
Phases of Transformation: The 5 Levels of Positive Disintegration
Level 1: Primary Integration
At this level, we observe the work of intelligence subsumed under primitive instincts (sex, aggression, power). Rigid, stereotypical, and in general, impulsive behaviour controlled by instinctual drives and external forces. For this reason, individuals on this level of development experience no inner conflicts, but plenty of external ones.
At this phase of development, we can observe two forms of adjustment of an individual in society. Firstly is negative adjustment, categorised by non-creative adaptation, conformity to social conventions, lack of self-reflection, and a critical approach to reality. The second is negative maladjustment, which includes disregard for social norms and conventions stemming from extreme egocentrism and the ruthless realisation of one’s instinctively driven goals.
Level 2: Unilevel
How are some people driven toward personal growth and their self-chosen ideals, while others appear to stay where they lay?
Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration can shed some light on this question as it focuses on positive aspects of mental health and the essential role of emotional development and positive values in guiding growth towards a personality ideal.
According to Dabrowski, we can think of a usual “cycle of life” being driven mainly by the instincts of self-preservation, sexuality and reproduction, material survival …show more content…
And thus Positive Disintegration is often triggered by physical changes such as puberty and menopause, personal tragedies such as the death of a loved one or natural disasters, or any experience that creates disruptions and tension in our emotional life.
Phases of Transformation: The 5 Levels of Positive Disintegration
Level 1: Primary Integration
At this level, we observe the work of intelligence subsumed under primitive instincts (sex, aggression, power). Rigid, stereotypical, and in general, impulsive behaviour controlled by instinctual drives and external forces. For this reason, individuals on this level of development experience no inner conflicts, but plenty of external ones.
At this phase of development, we can observe two forms of adjustment of an individual in society. Firstly is negative adjustment, categorised by non-creative adaptation, conformity to social conventions, lack of self-reflection, and a critical approach to reality. The second is negative maladjustment, which includes disregard for social norms and conventions stemming from extreme egocentrism and the ruthless realisation of one’s instinctively driven goals.
Level 2: Unilevel