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A note on Dabrowski's Levels.

William Tillier Revised Feb 23.03.

A note on heuristics: Dabrowski was very clear that the levels he presents "represent a heuristic device" (his words) and he was always reminding us that these levels and descriptions of people are conceptual abstractions. As such, there is no "average person" lurking around waiting to be discovered. Nor is there an exemplar of any given level as such. On the other hand, in the vernacular of everyday language we do talk about the Level I person and the Level V person, etc. as if they exist.

A note on continua: Dabrowski used the levels and their descriptions to outline and describe the conceptual prototypes of the different kinds or types of humans that we see in life. He wanted his theory to be able to account for the lowest seen in humans (as he personally observed in the Wars) and also for the highest human actions and achievements as well. Dabrowski said he tried to write a theory that would "explain both the lowest acts we see in humans and at the same time also the highest actions we see in humans." Dabrowski felt that these diverse human behaviors could be understood using a hierarchy of levels (a Platonic approach) and what he called multilevelness. To this end, he described various continua of both integration and disintegration (growth). I think it serves us to view the levels with this in mind.

Level I: Primary or primitive integration. Represents a level characterized by varying degrees of integration. A continuum from severely integrated to moderately integrated to loosely integrated. Dabrowski referred to the most rigidly integrated individuals as psychopaths (a small number of people) and the less integrated individual as the average person. Unfortunately (because it lends itself to confusion between what is psychopathic and what is primary) Dabrowski placed both of these subtypes under Level I.

These quotes describe his approach: "A fairly high degree of primary integration is present in the average person; a very high degree of primary integration is present in the psychopath. The more cohesive the structure of primary integration, the less the possibility of development; the greater the strength of autonomic functioning, stereotypy, and habitual activity, the lower the level of mental health" (Dabrowski 1964, p.121).

"Individuals with some degree of primitive integration comprise the majority of society" (Dabrowski 1964, p. 4).

"Among normal primitively integrated people, different degrees of cohesion of psychic structure can be distinguished" (Dabrowski 1964, p. 66).

Level I is characterized by no or very little internal conflict. The individual is content that their actions are proper and they do not experience inner conflicts over their values or their actions in life. Thus, Level I is characterized as a harmonious level, "ignorance is bliss."

Note: In her presentation at the conference in Florida, November 2002, Dr. E. Mika said that in Dabrowski's Polish works, he further differentiates Level I into even more subtle sub-levels. She presents a nice graphic of this idea as follows:

This diagram based on original at: http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/positive_disint.htm

As shown by the shading Ela used in her diagram, there are several shades of Level I, from the darker, more integrated, to the lighter shades of the less rigidly integrated, individuals who are more prone to "break" into Level II and possibly higher development. I think this is very similar to Stone's diagram (see:Stone.pdf)

I would add a twist (color) to this sort of diagram to show that Dabrowski emphasized both the quantitative and qualitative divergence of the ML levels from the lower UL levels. In this sense, there is a pretty clear line of demarcation between Level II and III (between UL and ML). ML is to UL as color is to black and white. Between III and IV and IV and V, there is less of a sharp line and these levels tend to shade into one another - and they are qualitative similar to each other.

Note: I did not do it, but it would be helpful if someome took a hierarchy like this and applied the colors used in the spiral dynamics hierarchy. See: http://www.spiraldynamics.com/ Also see:http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm [See below as well]

At the Florida conference, 2002, Dr. Kawczak indicated that Dabrowski said that about 85% of people were at Level I. I recall Dabrowski saying that about 65% were at Level I and that he felt that this was a tremendously positive feature as it meant that about 35% of people were able to break out of this primary integration and enter into higher development.

Level II - unilevel disintegration: This is the first level characterized by disintegration, the process whereby development occurs: Development requires a breaking down of the initial integration of Level I, usually through crisis: "Every authentic creative process consists of 'loosening', 'splitting' or 'smashing' the former reality. Every mental conflict is associated with disruption and pain; every step forward in the direction of authentic existence is combined with shocks, sorrows, suffering and distress" (Dabrowski, 1973, p. 14). And again, "we are human inasmuch as we experience disharmony and dissatisfaction, inherent in the process of disintegration" (Dabrowski 1970, p. 122). Finally: "The term positive disintegration will be applied in general to the process of transition from lower to higher, broader and richer levels of mental functions. This transition requires a restructuring of mental functions" (Dabrowski 1970, p.18).

[Note: Dabrowski uses a unique definition of personality and presents a distinct approach to what constitutes a human individual. Individuals at lower levels are "not yet human" in Dabrowski's context and based on his definitions. Dabrowski says "we are human inasmuch . . ." For Dabrowski, authentic human traits are associated with autonomy (third factor) and are not yet seen at the first level, authentic human traits only begin to emerge with disintegration and higher development. In this context, many individuals at lower levels would be described as not yet possessing human qualities. Dabrowski goes so far as to use the expression "anti-human." In Dabrowski's terminology, personality is a term reserved for individuals who have obtained a high degree of personal autonomy, usually seen only at Level IV and V. Again, controversially, Dabrowski said that the Level I or II individual "did not possess a personality."]

At Level II, the disintegrations are horizontal. "Internal conflicts exist but are usually externalized. They lack a direction, they occur as if on one plane only (hence called unilevel)" (Dabrowski, 1970, p.111). This level is characterized by ambivalences (the person has no real preference between choices and could choose one thing or another) and ambitendencies (the person is pulled and pushed equally toward competing choices and alternatives).

Dabrowski said that Level II is a transitional level and it can not be tolerated for long: "Prolonged states of unilevel disintegration (Level II) end either in a reintegration at the former primitive level or in suicidal tendencies, or in a psychosis" (Dabrowski 1970, p. 135).

Level III: Spontaneous Multilevel Disintegration:Two features distinguish Level III, It hasvertical conflicts that signalmultilevelness and they occurrspontaneously. Once Level III is achieved (multilevelness), the person can not regress back into unilevelness or primary integration. Level III is the first level of vertical or multilevel conflict, the real engine of human development because the contrast between lower and higher conflicts suggests a developmental direction -- vertical development. Contrast this with conflicts at Level II - they are horizontal and in this sense there is no developmental solution, one can choose to go left or right but not up, this developmental choice is not yet seen by the individual at Level II.

Multilevelness is characterized by two features: it isquantitatively different from unilevelness and it is alsoqualitatively different as well. So, to invoke Plato again, ML shows a difference of degree and of quality that makes it unique -- we do not just seemore, we see lifedifferently.

Level IV: Organized Multilevel Disintegration: The major feature distinguishing this level is the operation of the third factor and the increased role of the self in development. Conflicts are no longer driven by life experiences (and thus are spontaneous), the individual comes to volitionally and actively seek out contridictions in life and in their own value structure and behaviour. Dabrowski also called this level"Directed"Multilevel Disintegration.

Level V: Secondary Integration.The distinguishing feature of Level V is a harmonious integration. The conflicts of development are over and the individual is content in their self and in their personality ideal. The person is fully human and possessing a unique individual personality. Their internal conflict is gone because they are confident in their chosen value hierarchy, in their chosen hierarchy of aims (goals) and their behavior conforms to this value structure. Internal vertical conflicts have stopped. External conflicts are met with a positive and developmental orientation.

Development is uncommon:The sequence of transformations "occur only if the developmental forces are sufficiently strong and not impeded by unfavorable external circumstances. This is, however, rarely the case. The number of people who complete the full course of development and attain the level of secondary integration is limited. A vast majority of people either do not break down their primitive integration at all, or after a relatively short period of disintegration, usually experienced at the time of adolescence and early youth, end in a reintegration at the former level or in partial integration of some of the functions at slightly higher levels, without a transformation of the whole mental structure" (Dabrowski 1970, p. 4).

"Piechowski's Interpretation:" In the past, Dr. Piechowski has advanced a different interpretation of the conceptual structure of Levels I and II in Dabrowski's theory. He places the average person at Level II in the theory, and he taught this version for many years. This has led to confusion over the levels and their characteristics. This page presents the version as Dabrowski taught it to me.

I would be glad to post a section here if Dr. Piechowski (or anyone else) wants to present their rationale and support for, what I am calling here, the "Piechowski interpretation", that is, that the average person is at Level II. I find it hard to understand where Dr. Piechowski is coming from, at the conference in Florida, November 2002, he further said that he did not believe that Level I existed and that it should be dropped from the theory altogether. He apparently feels that everyone is in some stage of disintegration. Unfortunately, he has not yet written anything to flesh out his new approach. Of course, this is a major shift from Dabrowski's position -- that the average person displays a state of basic (primary) integration.

From:http://www.spiraldynamics.org/Graves/colors.htm

Eight Value Systems /^vMemes that have emerged to date and 
still exist side-by-side on earth . . .

1 BEIGE (A-N) based on biological urges/drives; physical senses dictate the state of being

2 PURPLE (B-O) threatening and full of mysterious powers, spirit beings which must be placated and appeased

3 RED (C-P) l like a jungle where the tough and strong prevail while the weak serve; nature is an adversary

4 BLUE (D-Q) controlled by a Higher Power that punishes evil and eventually rewards good works and Right living

5 ORANGE (E-R)full of resources to develop and opportunities to make things better and bring prosperity

6 GREEN (F-S)the habitat wherein humanity can find love and purposes through affiliation and sharing

7 YELLOW (A'-N' or G-T) a chaotic organism where change is the norm and uncertainty a usual  state of being

8 TURQUOISE (B'-O' or H-U)a delicately balanced system of interlocking forces in jeopardy in human hands

9 CORAL (C'-P' or I-V) should tend to be I-oriented, controlling, consolidating - if the pattern to date holds

What people in each world seek out in life . . . 
(Goals of "Successful" Living)

1 BEIGE (A-N) survival; biogenic needs satisfaction; reproduction

2 PURPLE (B-O) safety/security; protection from harm; family bonds

3 RED (C-P) power/action; asserting self to dominate others; control

4 BLUE (D-Q) stability/order; obedience to earn later reward; meaning

5 ORANGE (E-R) opportunity/success; competing to achieve results; influence

6 GREEN (F-S) harmony/love; joining together for mutual growth; awareness

7 YELLOW (A'-N' or G-T) independence/self-worth; fitting a living system; knowing

8 TURQUOISE (B'-O' or H-U)global community/life force; survival of Earth; consciousness

How "rational" people might deal with such a world . . . 
(Coping Systems)

1 BEIGE (A-N) as natural instincts and reflexes direct; automatic existence

2 PURPLE (B-O) according to tradition and ritual ways of group; tribal; animistic

3 RED (C-P) asserting self for dominance, conquest, and power; exploitive; egocentric

4 BLUE (D-Q) obediently as higher authority and rules direct; absolutist; conforming

5 ORANGE (E-R) pragmatically to achieve results and get ahead; multiplistic; achievist

6 GREEN (F-S) responds to human needs; affiliative; relativistic; situational

7 YELLOW (A'-N' or G-T) build functional niche to do what one chooses; existential; systemic

8 TURQUOISE (B'-O' or H-U)experiential to join with other like thinkers; holistic; transpersonal

Dr. Graves' model is open-ended, so new letters, numbers, or colors will need to be added as new levels of psychological existence are identified in human nature. His use of primes (A'-N' as an alternative to G-T, for example) suggests the notion that the process may be one of six-on-six systems rather than a simple series. Thus, the seventh is an echo of the first, the eighth an echo of the second, etc. This is where the "First Tier" and "Second Tier" notion presented in Spiral Dynamics comes from. There could theoretically be a third, fourth, and more Tiers as and if human nature continues to emerge. For more on Dr. Graves' original thinking, go to ourhttp://www.clarewgraves.com site.

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