Dabrowski's theory of positive disintegration has been associated with the psychology of giftedness for four decades, and Sal Mendaglio has significantly contributed to the thoughtful understanding of the theory throughout those 40 years. In this interview, Mendaglio discusses the relationship between the theory of positive disintegration and the…

In this commentary on "A Quality of Giftedness," ("Gifted and Talented International," v27 n2 p13-71 2012), by Dr. Joan Freeman, Michael F. Shaughnessy and Gilbert Valdez recognize that those working with gifted populations have all encountered an intangible, ephemeral aspect that is often quite difficult to describe, harder…

In this response to "A Quality of Giftedness," ("Gifted and Talented International" v27 n2 p13-71 2012) by Prof. Dr. Joan Freeman, John Anchan comments that Freeman's article raises a number of issues that challenge conventional train of thoughts. It is all about why one person can train endlessly and yet, never keep a tune,…

In this commentary on Professor Joan Freeman's "A Quality of Giftedness," (Gifted and Talented International" v27 n2 p 13-71 2012), Rhoda Myra Garces-Bacsal applauds Professor Freeman's capacity to translate what is commonly a pedantic and boring academic treatise to a vibrant and timely article that demonstrates how "ivory…

The presence or absence of qualities such as integrity and compassion are vital to the human condition. They can be experienced regularly or rarely and their causal consequences on, for example, motivation in the workplace can be strikingly obvious. Yet these important qualities can often be elusive to scientific investigation. In her article,…

This article presents the author's response to commentaries on "Differentiating Low Performance of the Gifted Leaner: Achieving, Underachieving, and Selective Consuming Students." The commentaries have focused on two issues: (1) the merits of distinguishing selective consumers from other students; and (2) the quality of the study's methodology.…

Six personality types are characteristic of gifted children: the perfectionist, the child/adult (with a need to be in charge), the winner of the competition, the exception, the self-critic, and finally, the well-integrated child. The gifted child's emotional development should be considered in his/her education. (CL)

Six profiles of theoretical types of gifted and talented children are offered including (1) the successful gifted, (2) the divergently gifted, (3) the "underground" gifted (who want to hide their giftedness), (4) the dropouts, (5) the double-labeled (with physical or emotional handicaps) gifted student, and (6) the autonomous learner. (DB)

The base of the talent development pyramid is personality attributes; the second level is the minimum intellectual competence necessary for functioning in the domain. At the apex is specific talent in a domain. All three are influenced by genetics, home/family, school, community/culture, gender differences, and chance. (SK)

A group of exceptionally gifted adolescents between the ages of 14 and 25 were each treated in individual psychotherapy over the course of a number of years. They were referred for symptoms of anxiety, depression, self-destructive behavior, and underachievement. Each phase of their gifted development was accompanied by particular anxieties and…

This article explores the concept of resilience as it relates to gifted children, particularly gifted black children, and identifies barriers to resilience. Recommendations for fostering resilience in these students are offered, including improve family-school-community relations, enhance self-concept, and improve social and emotional relations.…

A model is presented that proposes environmental conditions for creative producers which result in responses that include the development of several key personality characteristics, such as a preference for time alone, an ability to cope with anxiety, freedom from conventionality, and the use of intellectual activities to fulfill emotional needs.…

A mother of a highly gifted son gives her observations of life with a gifted child, the educational needs of the gifted, and suggestions to teachers of the gifted. Stressed throughout is the fact that gifted children are first and foremost children with all the needs and characteristics of children. Stereotypes of the gifted child are exposed…

Attempts to delineate some of the positive and negative social effects of traits displayed by gifted adults. Five traits (divergency, excitability, sensitivity, perceptivity, and entelechy) seem to produce potential interpersonal and intrapersonal conflict. Unless gifted adults learn to value themselves and find support, identity conflicts and…

This article demonstrates that the cognitive complexity and personality traits of gifted children create unique experiences and awarenesses that separate them from others. A central feature of children's gifted experience is their moral sensitivity and the asynchronous development of their inner world, which need to be understood and nurtured.…