The origins and conceptual evolution of overexcitability

• Authors: Christiane Wells , R. Frank Falk

Abstracts

PL

The construct of overexcitability originated from the condition known as “nervousness.” Dąbrowski differentiated it into types many years before publishing the first outline of his theory of positive disintegration. In this paper, we establish the origins of psychic overexcitability (OE), tracing its evolution in Dąbrowski’s work prior to developing his theory and later through its placement within the concept of developmental potential. Based on our study of Dąbrowski’s early Polish work, we challenge the belief that overexcitability is often misdiagnosed as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Piechowski’s elaboration of OE in gifted education is explored, and current misconceptions and misuses of OEs are critiqued. Based on our review, we present possible future applications and elaborations of overexcitability.

Keywords

PL

Kazimierz Dąbrowski; theory of positive disintegration; overexcitability; overexcitabilities; developmental potential

• Publisher: Akademia Pedagogiki Specjalnej im. Marii Grzegorzewskiej. Wydawnictwo APS
• Journal: Psychologia Wychowawcza
• Year: 2021
• Issue: 62(20)
• Pages: 23-44

Dates

published

2021

Contributors

author

Christiane Wells

author

R. Frank Falk

Identifiers

DOI

10.5604/01.3001.0015.3816

Biblioteka Nauki

55794991