Reflection, Refraction, and Resituation of Dabrowski’s Theory of Personality
by: Salvatore Mendaglio, Ph.D.
Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration: Reflection, Refraction, and Resituation aims to accomplish three objectives: to make a complex theory more accessible to readers, to situate the theory in its proper academic home, and to comply with Dabrowski’s request to refine his creation. To accomplish the first objective, the book describes clearly Dabrowskian concepts and illustrates them using tables and figures. The author’s description of his personal experiences with Dabrowski’s ideas contributes to the ease of readers’ understanding the theory. To accomplish the second objective, the meanings of the concepts in the theory of positive disintegration are compared and contrasted to their definitions in traditional psychology. To accomplish the third objective recommendations for refinement of the theory are made, where appropriate, as requested in Dabrowski’s written invitation for interested parties to build on the theory of positive disintegration.