Academia.eduAcademia.edu

The Organized Multilevel Disintegration as an Emerging Order

Abstract
sparkles

AI

The paper explores the concept of multilevel disintegration in the context of personality development, focusing on two key types: spontaneous and organized multilevel disintegration. It describes how emotional and cognitive dynamisms influence personality, especially in gifted individuals, through processes of self-organization and the creation of more complex mental structures. Key themes include the necessity of chaotic phases for personal growth and the role of external support, as illustrated through a narrative interview with a singer reflecting on her experiences.

Key takeaways
sparkles

AI

  1. Emotional, intellectual, and imaginational overexcitability drive personality development through dynamic processes.
  2. Developmental dynamisms can be spontaneous or organized, influencing the transition between order and chaos.
  3. Spontaneous multilevel disintegration includes critical self-awareness and conscious choices, fostering personal growth.
  4. The organized disintegration leads to insights into one's identity, enhancing self-understanding and uniqueness.
  5. Personal narratives, such as journaling, are crucial in navigating emotional development and self-acceptance.
The Organized Multilevel Disintegration as an Emerging Order Krystyna Laycraft The 19th Annual International Conference Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI USA, July 23-25, 2009 Theory of Positive Disintegration Kazimierz Dabrowski (1902 -1980) •  Describes patterns and explains mechanism of human development •  Transition from lower to higher levels of mental life, stimulated by tension, inner conflict, struggle, and anxiety •  Applied to understanding of gifted individuals Gifted and Creative People display Symptoms of increased psychic excitability cause create Inner tensions, A condition for a broader, internal deeper, and external and more complex pattern of conflicts experiences lead Positive Disintegration •  The developmental potential •  The role of dynamisms •  The levels of development •  The spontaneous multilevel disintegration and the ordered multilevel disintegration The Developmental Potential a control parameter the set of psychological features that are associated with personality development: •  Three factors (biological, social, and autonomous) •  Special abilities and talents •  Psychic overexcitabilities (psychomotor, sensual, imaginational, emotional, & intellectual) Overexcitability of gifted individuals •  Higher than average capacity for experiencing inner and external stimuli •  Based on a higher than average responsiveness of the nervous system Overexcitability: •  Psychomotor – a heightened energy level and nervousness •  Sensual – a heightened experiencing of sensory pleasures •  Imaginational – expressive images and metaphors, fantasy, and animistic thinking •  Intellectual – an intensified activity of the mind, theoretical thinking, and avidity for understanding and probing unknown •  Emotional - experiencing emotional relationships, manifested by strong attachment to persons, living things, or places. Emotional, intellectual, and imaginational overexcitability play the significant role in the formation of developmental dynamisms that shape and direct personality development (Dabrowski, 1996) Dynamisms •  change. Dynamic, complex series of processes of •  developmental Instinctual - emotional - cognitive forces à dynamisms Two categories: 1.  dynamisms characterized by spontaneity and lack of definite organization 2.  dynamisms which reshape, assimilate and organize the process of positive disintegration. The Levels of Development •  Primary Integration – Rigid, automatic and impulsive determined by primitive, innate drives o  Unilevel Disintegration – Increased sensitivity to internal stimuli, unconscious character and continuous oscillation •  of “pros” and “cons” Spontaneous Multilevel Disintegration – Search not only for novelty, but something higher Organized Multilevel Disintegration – Exhibits tranquility, systematization and conscious transformation § Secondary Integration harmonization of personality – New organization and Three factors, Control Parameters (Developmental potential) Five forms of OE Secondary Order Talents Integration Three factors, Organized Emerging order Emotional, Multilevel Intellectual & Disintegration Imaginational OE Spontaneous First, second, third Multilevel Chaotic Attractor factors Disintegration Emotional OE& Intellectual OE Unilevel Circle Attractor Disintegration First & second factors Primary Point Attractor First factor Integration Transition from order to chaos and from chaos to order (Laycraft, 2008, 2009) The Spontaneous Multilevel Disintegration •  Represents is dramatic state, marked by a sharp turning toward oneself. •  oneself, The developmental dynamisms (astonishment towards disquietude with oneself, dissatisfaction with oneself, feeling act as loops of positive feedback, of inferiority and guilt) pushing mental structure into a state of disequilibrium, and creating instability. •  The instability disintegrates a former structure and forms novel patterns of behavior. Spontaneous Multilevel Disintegration I phase: Emotional-cognitive dynamisms: •  Astonishment with oneself •  Disquietude with oneself •  Dissatisfaction with oneself •  Feeling of inferiority toward oneself II phase: Self-conscious emotions •  Feeling of embarrassment, shame, guilt & pride III phase •  Positive maladjustment •  Creativity I Positive feedback – Disintegration of pre-existing organization and formation of novel patterns of behavior The Spontaneous Multilevel Disintegration •  a chaotic attractor •  the crucial period for gifted adolescents’ development •  a necessary condition for self-organization to more complex and ordered states of mental structure of young people The Organized Multilevel Disintegration •  The individual takes an initiative in organizing a hierarchy of his own inner world. •  Directed and controlled by highly conscious, autonomous, and self- determining developmental processes Organized Multilevel Disintegration Dynamisms: •  “Subject – object” in oneself (critical self-observation and conscious need for development, perceiving others as subjects) •  The Third Factor (conscious choices), •  Self-awareness (awareness of one’s identity and of one’s individual uniqueness), •  Self-control (bringing order and unity into one’s development, increasing calmness and confidence), •  Creativity II •  Empathy & Education of oneself Negative Feedback – organizing mental structure and making it more stable. Role of the dynamisms •  play a basic role in development of objectivity of an individual •  release uncreative tensions •  remove of blocked stresses •  create better conditions for the protection of one’s psychically healthy development. The defense (protection) and prophylaxis against serious mental disorders or suicide occurs through development itself. The spontaneous disintegration The organized disintegration •  Emerging order –”dissipative •  Chaotic attractor structures” •  Internal conflicts, self-conscious •  Highly conscious, autonomous dynamisms - positive feedback processes – negative feedback •  Disintegration of pre-existing •  Stabilize & organize a mental organization and formation of structure novel patterns of behavior •  Lesser tension & greater ability •  Crucial period for gifted to systemize experiences adolescents’ development •  Greater psychic complexity & •  Necessary condition for self- higher level of creativity organization to more complex and ordered states of mental structure •  Openness to external of young people experiences, sensitivity and identification with others Interview with a singer Mika Urbaniak ...” Despite the difficult periods in our life, we had a lot of love. And each of us could be ourselves. It was nothing enforcing on us. We experienced with my older sister Kasia the period of a rebellion. And maybe a little bit of madness. Artistic souls already played in us. We didn’t listen to anybody. Our parents do not have easy lives with us. Now, we four of us become great friends. ---- Have you changed a lot from that time? Yes, for a long time, I suppressed my emotions and identified blindly with my older sister. Fortunately, some years have passed and I have changed, calmed down and found my own path. A writing diary helped me a lot. First I started to write when I was six years old. Later I couldn’t imagine without writing. I was writing by the next ten years. I wrote down about my thoughts and emotions. I learnt my life through my mistakes. ---- You grew up. Do you like yourself now? Yes, today I look at a world and myself completely different way. I begin to enjoy being a woman, and suddenly I realize that knowing myself is a great delight. Since I struggle for myself and realize my dreams, I become friend with myself. Suddenly, a whole world begins to look like from my dreams. And this love begins to grow. Besides, I am still fighting with my weaknesses. Mother helped me, when I experienced the worst moments. Sometimes, in the past happened that she could not reach me with her optimism. That time, I still identified with my rebellion. And in some way I liked this pain. That time I was writing a lot of songs. Now, mom’s words and her attitude to life are the greatest encouragements…” The Spontaneous Disintegration The Organized Disintegration Rebellion, madness, Calmness, Struggle, pain Finding the own path, Not listening anybody Learning of life through her Identification with sister, mistakes, Mother couldn’t reach her, Knowing herself, Identification with a rebellion, Accepting herself as a woman Fighting with her weaknesses Liking and loving herself, Artistic elements Open to mother’s words & her attitude, Writing diary Writing songs Family’s acceptance, friendship and love Mother’s help and encouragement Ø “Subject-object” in oneself - appears suddenly in the form of an insight of understanding oneself, through observation and analysis. The recognition of one’s inner self as that which feels, thinks, and desires, brings about a sense of one’s uniqueness and personal identity. …”Suddenly I realize that knowing myself is a great delight. Since I struggle for myself and realize my dreams, I become friend with myself. “ Ø The Third Factor – the individual begins to realize what is essential, lasting, and advantageous for her development. …”Fortunately, some years have passed and I have changed, calmed down and found my own path.” Ø  Openness to external experiences, sensitivity and identification with others “Now, mom’s words and her attitude to life are the greatest encouragements…” Ø Creative dynamisms: an outlet for the increased tension of inner conflict …”A writing diary helped me a lot. I couldn’t imagine without writing. …That time I was writing a lot of songs. ” Summary Theory of Positive Disintegration •  Introduces an essential change in adults’ attitude toward creative and gifted young people. •  Leads to a positive understanding of their inner, psychological conflicts. •  Eliminates the negative belief that they require medical treatment. •  Shows that the positive development is the best way for the protection and prophylaxis against serious mental disorder. Reference •  Dabrowski, K. (1964). Positive disintegration. Boston: Little, Brown & Company. •  Dabrowski, K. (1967). Personality shaping through positive disintegration. Boston: Little , Brown & Company •  Dabrowski, K. , Kawczak, A. & Piechowski, M. (1970). Mental growth through positive Disintegration. London: Gryf Publication Ltd. •  Dabrowski, K. (1972). Psychoneurosis is not an illness. London: Gryf Publications Ltd. •  Dabrowski, K. (1973). The dynamics of concepts. London: Gryf Publications Ltd. •  Dabrowski, K. (1996). Multileveness of emotional and instinctive functions. Lublin: Towarzystwo Naukowe Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego. •  Kotowska, M. (2009). Juz sie nie boje. Viva!, nr.10, pp.60-68. •  Laycraft, K. (2006). Positive maladjustment as a transition from chaos to order. Presentation on The Sixth Int. Congress of the Institute for Positive Disintegration in Human Development, Calgary. •  Laycraft, K. (2009). Positive maladjustment as a transition from chaos to order, Roeper Review Volume – Issue 31, 2, pp. 113-122. •  Prigogine, I., & Stengers, I. (1984). Order out of chaos. Toronto, New York, London, Sydney: Bantam Books.

References (8)

  1. • Dabrowski, K. (1964). Positive disintegration. Boston: Little, Brown & Company.
  2. • Dabrowski, K. (1967). Personality shaping through positive disintegration. Boston: Little , Brown & Company • Dabrowski, K. , Kawczak, A. & Piechowski, M. (1970). Mental growth through positive Disintegration. London: Gryf Publication Ltd.
  3. • Dabrowski, K. (1972). Psychoneurosis is not an illness. London: Gryf Publications Ltd. • Dabrowski, K. (1973). The dynamics of concepts. London: Gryf Publications Ltd.
  4. • Dabrowski, K. (1996). Multileveness of emotional and instinctive functions. Lublin: Towarzystwo Naukowe Katolickiego Uniwersytetu Lubelskiego.
  5. • Kotowska, M. (2009). Juz sie nie boje. Viva!, nr.10, pp.60-68.
  6. • Laycraft, K. (2006). Positive maladjustment as a transition from chaos to order. Presentation on The Sixth Int. Congress of the Institute for Positive Disintegration in Human Development, Calgary.
  7. • Laycraft, K. (2009). Positive maladjustment as a transition from chaos to order, Roeper Review Volume -Issue 31, 2, pp. 113-122.
  8. • Prigogine, I., & Stengers, I. (1984). Order out of chaos. Toronto, New York, London, Sydney: Bantam Books.

FAQs

sparkles

AI

What role do emotional and cognitive dynamisms play in personality development?add

The research finds that emotional and cognitive dynamisms significantly shape personality development by instigating complex processes of change, transitioning through states of disintegration and integration.

How does primary integration differ from spontaneous multilevel disintegration?add

Primary integration is characterized by stable self-representation, while spontaneous multilevel disintegration involves emotional and cognitive upheaval, fostering self-awareness and creativity.

What mechanisms contribute to the constructive phases of positive disintegration?add

The mechanisms include critical self-observation, self-awareness, and conscious choices that drive the formation of novel behavioral patterns during periods of instability.

When do individuals typically experience a turning point in self-identity formation?add

Individuals often experience a turning point during phases marked by emotional-intellectual turmoil, leading to profound insights about their identity and motivations.

What feedback loops are identified in the process of disintegration?add

Feedback loops such as feelings of dissatisfaction and guilt create a cycle of disequilibrium that catalyzes the formation of new mental structures.

About the author
University of Calgary, Alumnus

Krystyna C. Laycraft, Ph.D. is a physicist/educator/artist. She shares her time between art, science, and teaching. She runs the Center for CHAOS Studies and gives lectures on an application of Complexity Science in creativity, psychology, neuroscience, and education.

Papers
91
Followers
759
View all papers from Krystyna Laycraftarrow_forward