The Art Of Mind’s Blog


Characteristics of the Gifted Individual
February 9, 2009, 6:33 am
Filed under: Creative Personality, Giftedness, Talent Development | Tags:

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“Every gift contains a danger. Whatever gift we have we are compelled to express. And if the expression of that gift is blocked, distorted, or merely allowed to languish, then the gift turns against us, and we suffer.”
— L. Johnson

In the previous Blog entry I briefly mentioned some of the general traits of being Gifted. To further expand, the characteristics are usually broken down into six categories: General Intellectual Ability, Specific Academic Ability, Creative Ability, Leadership Ability, Affective/Social-Emotional Characteristics and Psychomotor Characteristics. Again keeping in mind that the Gifted person doesn’t have to display all of these traits to be considered Gifted.

The following information came from Duke University Talent Identification Program.

General Intellectual Ability

  • Shows an intense interest and curiosity in a variety of subjects. As a result, has a tendency to question everything and seek in depth information about the specific area of interest.
  • Has an extensive vocabulary when speaking and articulates well verbally.
  • Avid reader and may have started reading at an early stage.
  • Processes information differently and at a rapid rate, therefore able to learn quickly.
  • Keen ability to problem solve through logical thinking, integrating ideas from subjects and able to understand and grasp meaning of abstract concepts.
  • Shows ability for focused concentration. Highly observant and perceptive.

    • Specific Academic Ability

  • Displays unusual capacity to absorb large quantities of information as well as able to retain the information.
  • Comprehension abilities are at advanced levels.
  • Highly competent working with numbers.
  • Intense and persistent around working towards goals
  • Shows a long attention span, especially on a topic of intense interest

    • Creative Ability

  • Displays ability for adaptable and flexible processing during problem solving.
  • Ability to postpone final solution or product until completely processed.
  • Enjoys challenges.
  • Has a vivid imagination and able to come up with original ideas and clever solutions.
  • Shows innovation in written, oral or artistic expression.
  • Displays independent thinking.
  • Sharp and clever sense of humor
  • Has a sense of adventure and doesn’t mind taking risks.
  • A predisposition for individuality and nonconforming

    • Leadership Ability

  • Is able to access and evaluate not only self, but others.
  • Tendency towards perfectionism and holds high expectations for self and others.
  • Easily self critical.
  • Advanced ability to understand and interpret social problems both cognitively and emotionally.
  • Displays a degree of self-confidence.
  • Very Responsible and dependable.
  • Ability to work well in a team environment, but also tends to take on the leader role.
  • Is free to express opinions and is comfortable questioning authority.

    • Affective/Social-Emotional Characteristics

  • Can become easily overwhelmed emotionally.
  • Sensitive to feelings and expectations of others.
  • Highly self aware.
  • Tends towards idealism with social concerns such as fairness and justice.
  • Contains a depth and intensity when it comes to emotions and compassion.
  • Highly values following through principles with person actions.
  • Has a strong sensitivity and conviction around moral judgment.
  • Values ongoing self-actualization.

    • Psychomotor Characteristics

  • Due to a heightened sense of awareness has a tendency to take in large amounts of environmental stimulation.
  • Tendency towards Asynchronous (physical and intellectual development does not occur simultaneously).
  • Tends to be highly energetic.
    • 4 Comments


    Giftedness
    January 30, 2009, 7:23 pm
    Filed under: Creative Personality, Giftedness, Talent Development

    The more I learn about Giftedness, the more I have discovered an overlap amongst the creative, highly sensitive personality and giftedness. It appears the characteristics and traits run side by side. Inspired by the information I’m discovering, I’m beginning a series focused on Giftedness. I will explore such aspects as What is Giftedness, the different characteristics of being Gifted, the emotional challenges, misconceptions and so on.

    What is Giftedness? Although many specialists have attempted to define Giftedness, due to conflicting definitions, there is still much confusion. One of the causes for the confusion is that Giftedness doesn’t always appear in a single skill, but can show up in a multitude of talents as well as emotional characteristics. Giftedness was once measured by academic achievement or extreme intelligence. However, traits such as highly empathetic, very observant, creative, highly curious and even underachieving are also part of the gifted person.

    Stated in the 1972 Marland Report to Congress, gifted individuals display high performance in areas such as general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creative or productive thinking, leadership ability, visual or performing arts and psychomotor ability. Giftedness doesn’t necessarily appear in all of theses areas, but can appear either in one or multiple of areas.

    Joseph S. Renzulli, an Educational Psychologist, viewed the gifted as individuals who are capable of combining all three characteristics of above-average abilities, discipline or motivation, and extreme creativity and applying them to any area of human performance (1986).

    Some of the basic gifted traits can be described as the following:

    Highly motivated
    Perfectionism
    Sharp sense of humor
    Highly sensitive and empathetic
    Imaginative
    Problem solving abilities
    Very perceptive/observant
    Intense interest
    Insightful
    Understands abstract concepts
    Creative
    Superior reasoning abilities
    Highly curious
    Unusual long-term memory
    Contemplative
    Learns rapidly
    Overwhelmed easily by interests/abilities</em

    If you think you might be gifted, you can run through the Gifted Self-Test found on Rocamora School’s website.

    Other links:
    NSGT (National Society of Gifted & Talented)
    SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted)
    Gifted Adults
    NAGC (National Association for Gifted Children)
    Gifted 101

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