This study examined the self-perception and motivational orientation of 49 intellectually gifted fourth and seventh graders. Compared to controls, the gifted children perceived themselves as more scholastically competent, better behaved, but less athletically competent. Gifted girls perceived themselves as more scholastically competent than either…

This essay argues that academic achievement for gifted students should be viewed in the context of the life of the spirt--life guided by a desire to realize oneself; find and live a vocation; and embody great virtues, such as generosity and love of life. (Author/DB)

Analyzes historical and contemporary cases where outstanding achievement resulted despite the lack of a strongly supportive environment. It concludes that personal strengths of the individual are the key factor in overcoming deficiencies in environmental support. Models of Feldman, Piirto, Tannenbaum, and Gagne are applied to the development of…