Overexcitability: A Psychological Comparison Between Dancers, Opera Singers, and Athletes

Abstract

Overexcitability is a component in Dabrowski’s theory of positive disintegration. This cross-sectional study investigated the psychological profile, including the five overexcitability dimensions (psychomotor, sensual, imaginational, intellectual, emotional), of three talented groups of dancers (n = 84), opera singers (n = 62), and athletes (n = 49). Five self-report instruments assessed positive and negative psychological variables: (a) overexcitability, (b) fantasy proneness, (c) shame, (d) anxiety, and (e) depression. Dancers and opera singers scored significantly higher on all overexcitability dimensions, fantasy proneness, shame, and anxiety in comparison to the athlete group. There were no group differences for depression. Emotional and imaginational overexcitability dimensions significantly predicted shame, anxiety, and depression. Further investigation of overexcitability is warranted given the findings in this study.

Keywords:

• anxiety
• athletes
• dancers
• depression
• opera singers
• overexcitability
• psychopathology
• shame

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors acknowledge California State University, Northridge and the Faculty of Fine Arts at York University.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Paula Thomson

Paula Thomson, PsyD, is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). She is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified sport psychologist and works in private practice in California. She is codirector of the Performance Psychophysiology Laboratory at CSUN, adjunct faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and Professor Emeritus at York University’s Departments of Theatre and Graduate Studies (Canada). She was a professional dancer and continues work as choreographer and movement coach in dance, theater, and opera. In 2013, she was named one of the top 20 female professors in California. E-mail: [email protected]

S. Victoria Jaque

S. Victoria Jaque, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Northridge. She is codirector of the Performance Psychophysiology Laboratory, where the interconnections between autonomic nervous system function and psychological factors are studied in performing artists and athletes both at rest and during performance. Her collaborative research also assesses the influence of physical activity during maturation on bone mineral density. Dr. Jaque serves as both the academic director for the MS degree in Assistive Technology Studies and Human Services and the graduate coordinator for the Department of Kinesiology. E-mail: [email protected]