The role of interaction and the importance of relationships with peers and significant others in the development of gifted adolescent girls' self-perceptions of ability are explored. Findings are based on a qualitative study which utilized participant-observation, interviewing, and artifact collection in one middle school. Ten girls (grades 6-8)…

Answers to two parents and a gifted fourth grader are given by two educators on questions of peer acceptance, a three-year-old who is reading, and communication skills. (CL)

A student attitude questionnaire was given to 1,465 gifted and talented adolescents who identified 5 strategies used to deal with potentially stigmatizing events (cover up, lie, placate, be truthful, and cop-out). The placate coping strategy was the most frequently used across scenarios. (DB)

Evaluation of peer relations of 53 intermediate grade students participating in a pull-out enrichment program found that these children, relative to classmates, were evaluated positively by peers, demonstrated greater awareness of reciprocity in friendship relationships, and were perceived less often as either an aggressor or victim of aggression.…

Two studies of gifted 3rd through 7th graders (n=311) enrolled in a summer academic program explored the possibility that social coping strategies could be measured. Six social coping strategies were identified: denying giftedness; minimizing focus on popularity; social interaction; humor; conformity; and denying the impact of giftedness on peer…

Adolescents (n=173) rated the academic and social characteristics of a male peer who was videotaped as a highly competent student and as an average student. Students judged the competent target as likely to be more successful in academic subjects, more socially acceptable, and a better leader than the less competent peer. (Author/JDD)

An expansion of the Social Coping Questionnaire was used to investigate how 229 gifted students (ages 11-17) coped with being identified as gifted. Results found five social coping factors: denial of giftedness, emphasis on popularity, peer acceptance, social interaction, and the hiding of giftedness. Females were more likely to deny abilities.…

An approach to assessment is described in which elementary children's motivation to learn and perceptions of ability and social acceptance are measured, in addition to the more traditional ability and achievement measures. Case studies of 4 gifted children (ages 7-10) are presented to investigate how individual differences in self-perception and…

The Learning Outcomes Study, a 2-year investigation, evaluated four popular types of grouping arrangements for gifted students in grades 2 and 3 in 14 collaborative school districts in 10 states. The study compared within-class, pull-out, separate class, and special school instructional arrangements. Study participants (N=1000) included students…