Overexcitabilities

The concept of psychic overexcitabilities (OEs) emanated from Kazimierz Dabrowski's original concept of developmental potential, which he defined as a genetic endowment of traits that determine what level of moral development a person may reach under ideal circumstances. The five forms of OEs—psychomotor, intellectual, imaginational, sensual, and emotional—are considered types of increased psychic excitability and specific types of nervous energy Dabrowski witnessed in gifted and creative individuals. The OEs are described as a special kind of understanding, experiencing, and responding to the world. Michael Piechowski hypothesized that these overexcitabilities may be more prevalent in gifted and creative individuals than in the general population. The OEs are emerging as important components of giftedness and creativity, especially in light of the particular social and emotional needs of ...