The cognitive perceptions that enable gifted children to process academic information in superior ways also qualitatively impact the psychosocial dimensions of their lives. Overexcitabilities represent common super-sensitive areas in gifted children. However, giftedness does not end with adulthood and neither do the complex processes of…

Prior literature on the use of character strengths suggests that both deficiencies and excesses in the use of strengths can be problematic. While most school-based training in character strengths tends to focus on the former issue, an example is provided of a school-based program offered by the Mayerson Academy in partnership with the VIA…

The Overexcitability Questionnaire-Two (OEQII) is a quantitative instrument for assessing overexcitabilities as they are described in Dabrowski's theory of positive disintegration. This article uses multigroup confirmatory factor analysis to examine the measurement invariance of OEQII scores across genders. Results indicate that raw OEQII scores…

Cases of secondary integration (Level V), the most advanced level of development through positive disintegration, are easily found within the religious sphere. To find a secular case of secondary integration presents a greater challenge. The life of Peace Pilgrim (1908-1981), known personally to a great many people, appears to be such a case. The…

Dabrowski's ideas about personality development are not only a source of practical recommendations for assisting the development of persons of varied age but can also be an inspiration for research. The theory is exceptionally helpful in describing developmental phenomena. Cases of multilevel development were studied in autobiographies of 7…

Analysis of personality traits of eminent persons (1450-1850) revealed four very common traits: intelligence, questioning, curiosity, and a strong desire to excel. (CL)

Personality functioning of 90 children (ages 11-16) with intelligence quotients greater than 135 was examined using the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule and the Child Behavior Checklist. Scores of gifted males and females were more similar to each other than to high school norms and displayed no greater incidence of psychopathology. (Author/VW)

A coding system, derived from Dabrowski's levels of gifted individuals' emotional development, is based on categories that reflect feelings toward values, self, and others. Testing of the system's reliability indicated that it provides educators, parents, and counselors with a greater understanding of the developmental issues which confront gifted…

The Fullerton Longitudinal Study is a contemporary prospective investigation that spans approximately a quarter of a century. Commencing at age 1, children and their families were systematically followed every 6 months from infancy through preschool and annually at ages 5 through 17. They were again assessed at age 24. The course of development…

Twice exceptional students are those who have emotional disturbances or behavioral disorders (E/BD) and who also display characteristics of high intellectual ability. Case studies were developed over a 3-year period on three male junior high school students who fit this definition. Data were interpreted using Kazimierz Dabrowski's Theory of…

Patterns of cognitive, affective, and social growth of elementary school children are described and the school and home variables which influence such growth are identified in this longitudinal study. This final report presents the final instruments and the interpretive data associated with them. The study permits the tracing of developmental…