Psychological crisis as a necessary factor of development? Human nature according to Kazimierz Dąbrowski

Abstract

Kazimierz Dąbrowski believed, that human nature is hierarchical and multilevel in its character. An attribute peculiar for our species is developmental instinct, which differentiates human beings from animals. Dąbrowski indicated, that distinguishing mark of humanity is to be ‘doomed to development’, to reach increasingly higher levels of development, what can be accomplished through processes of disintegration. The key assumption of the Theory of Positive Disintegration (TPD) is that dissolution of internal psychic structures leads to suffering and psychological crisis. But, according to Dąbrowski, it is a generally positive phenomenon, because it is necessary for development of rich and complex psychic structures, and the final goal of processes of disintegration is personality. The aim of this article is to present major terms and assumptions of TPD and also to discuss a Kazimierz Dąbrowski’s perspective for an understanding of some psychological difficulties.