Using Dabrowski’s TPD dynamisms to determine personality development in gifted, highly sensitive adults

Persons with overexcitabilities (EOIs) have, according to K. Dabrowski’s theory of positive disintegration (TPD), a high development potential. In this study, gifted adults belonging to the MENSA were asked to volunteer for a study on high sensitivity and development levels according to the TPD by Dabrowski. Seven adults with known IQs took part in a survey on high sensitivity. TPD’s development levels were measured using the Definition Response Instrument (DRI) by Gage et al. (1981). The answers to the DRI questionnaire were analyzed by looking for Dabrowski’s dynamisms and recording which level of development they corresponded to. The most common dynamisms were "subject-object" of level IV and "dissatisfaction with oneself" of level III. The average level score given by the dynamisms was positively correlated to the HSP scale score and the IQ score. The results suggest that not only giftedness but high sensitivity coupled to giftedness is a good predictor of development potential.