Lecture 7 - Gifted

Question 1

What did the Terman Studies find about gifted children?

Answer 1

He found that gifted children were taller, heavier, and more active in play than intellectually handicapped children.

Question 2

What are some of the practical limitations in defining giftedness with IQ tests?

Answer 2

• IQ tests are relatively gross, don’t take special abilities into account
• they don’t tap all skill areas
• they are independent of creativity
• the criteria of giftedness are vague

Question 3

What are the types of talents?

Answer 3

1. Scarcity talents; these talents in short supply in the world, improve world, ex. Einstein, Gandhi
2. Surplus talents; in short supply, but enrich the world in a nonessential way, ex. Bach
3. Quota talents; skills for which there is only a limited demand, ex. lawyers, basketball players
4. Anomalous talents; only because of rarity, ex. savant

Question 4

What is the IQ generally used to identify giftedness?

Answer 4

130+

Question 5

What are the components of Renzulli’s 3-Ring Model?

Answer 5

• above average (but not necessarily exceptional) intellectual ability
• creativity
• task commitment

Question 6

Define/explain: task commitment

Answer 6

The ability to stick to a task until it is done, even if the task is perceived as boring. Can be learned

Question 7

What are some of the consistent observations of parents of gifted children?

Answer 7

• high levels of education, occupation, income, harmonious marital relationships
• parents who spend time with their children, facilitate their interests, answer questions, support exploration
• gifted children are not usually pressured by parents
• children with a desire to achieve had mothers
who valued early independence in their children

Question 8

What are the types of school programming offered to gifted children?

Answer 8

1. “Natural” progress: argument is that children of high ability can fend for themselves, assumes age-grade grouping is beneficial in all cases, special programs are seen as unfair or elitist
2. Enrichment: provides a qualitative or quantitative
   experience while maintaining age grade status
3. Acceleration: involves progress through an educational program at a faster rate or at younger ages than usual, ex. starting school at a younger age, or skipping grades

Question 9

What are the different types of school enrichment offered to gifted children?

Answer 9

1. Lateral/Horizontal: assigning more of the same kind of work, or additional classes at same level
2. Cultural: child offered experiences to broaden curriculum
3. Vertical: higher level or more complex experience

Question 10

Are fathers or mothers more likely to see their child as gifted?

Answer 10

Fathers appear to see their children as gifted less often than mothers do.