WRITINGS ON GIFTEDNESS
Compiled by Jude Wong, RPC-C, HCH.
“Giftedness is not a matter of degree but of a different quality of experiencing: vivid, absorbing, penetrating, encompassing, complex, commanding — a way of being quiveringly alive.”
“It is often recognized that gifted and talented people are energetic, enthusiastic, intensely absorbed in their pursuits, endowed with vivid imagination, sensuality, moral sensitivity and emotional vulnerability. . . . [They are] experiencing in a higher key.”
~ Michael Piechowski, PhD
“For the gifted, inner conflict is a developmental rather than a degenerative sign, because it drives the gifted person forward to replace current ways of thinking and being with those of higher level development.
“Highly gifted people have a number of personality traits that set them apart, and that are not obviously connected to the traits of intelligence, IQ, or creativity that are most often used to define the category. Many of these traits have to do with their particularly intense feelings and emotions, others with their sometimes awkward social interactions.”
~ Francis Heylighen, PhD
“It has been reported that the higher the level of giftedness, the greater the chance of psychological and social adjustment difficulties. […]
“Gifted persons are more likely to make sense out of their intellectual experiences than the average person. Another important difference is in the desire to know complex ideas. Average persons have less desire to know ideas for their own sake.
“The possession of the desire to know means that gifted individuals have a need to search for the inherent pattern, logic or meaning in a set of data information, while average people prefer to have the pattern, logic, or meaning already generated and explained. […]
“Another [challenge] for the highly gifted is they grow up with and are often socialized by significant others who do not understand them well enough to guide their ideas and actions with valid feedback.”
~ Philip M. Powell & Tony Haden Roeper Review, Vol. 6 No. 3, p. 131-133, Feb 1984.
Overexcitabilities – A term originated by Kazimierz Dabrowski to describe excessive response to stimuli in five psychic domains (psychomotor, sensual, intellectual, imaginational, and emotional) which may occur singly or in combination.
DESCRIPTIONS (Compiled)
Nerdy
Extraordinary abilities and deficits
Superior abilities to reason, generalize or problem solve, high intelligence
Extensive vocabulary, verbal ability, fascinated by words
Excellent long term memory
Grasps mathematical/scientific concepts readily, advanced comprehension, insightful
Produces superior written work or has a large vocabulary.
Long attention span, sustains concentration on topics of interest, persistent
Resist changing away from interesting topics or activities.
I like to refine and improve others’ innovations.
I tend to look for consistency and security in systems, rules, and orderliness.
Have organized collections
Mental Capacity
Original, unusual ideas, creativity, connects seemingly unrelated ideas
Complex and deep thoughts, abstract thinker
Tolerance for ambiguity & complexity
My preference for the complex can fool me into underestimating the simple answer.
Sees paradoxes
Can see many sides, considers problems from a number of viewpoints
A good problem solver.
Enjoys challenge, penchant for risk-taking
Get bored with routine tasks.
Sensitivity, Creativity
Vivid and rich imagination
Very perceptive, good sense of observation
My nervous system is easily aroused, and I am able to discern the slightest changes in my environment (aromas, shifts in light, etc.) or detect irritants (e.g. scratchy sweater label).
Be so emotionally sensitive and empathetic that adults consider it over-reaction, may get angry, or cry when things go wrong or seem unfair.
Aware of things that others are not, perceive world differently
Passionate, intense feelings. Deeply compassionate
Empathy: feels along with others, helps them understand themselves
Introverted, Sincere, Spontaneous
Childlike sense of wonder
Driven by creativity
Feel a spiritual connection to life.
Depth and Sincerity
Strong moral convictions
Visionary, sense of destiny or mission
Seeker of ultimate truths, looks for patterns, meaning in life
Loves ideas and ardent discussion
Deeply disturbed by inequity, exploitation, corruption, and needless human suffering.
Honesty, integrity, and ethics are important to me.
Questions rules or authority,
Very independent, autonomous, less motivated by rewards and praise
Shows social poise or an ability to communicate with adults in a mature way.
Some people think I’m too serious.
Keen interest in social reform.
Values and defends diversity.
Strong need to “make a difference.”
Often considered a “driven” person.
Fall-Outs and Social Challenges
Make jokes or puns at times adults consider inappropriate.
At times asks embarrassing questions or rudely points out truths at the wrong time.
Dominates or withdraws in cooperative learning situations.
Wide range of interests, overwhelmed by many interests and abilities
Need for longer periods of contemplation and solitude
Feels different, out of step with others — sense of alienation and loneliness
Has an unusual sense of humour.
Overly critical of self and others, impatient with failure, high standards for Self and for others, perfectionistic. “My own worst critic.”
Tends to work themselves to exhaustion.
Unique interpersonal challenges that gifted individuals, couples and families encounter during their life span include:
- learning to interact in the mainstream world;
- manage expectations and pressures to fit the norm;
- defuse unconscious hostility, resentment, antagonism and sabotage directed at them because they are perceived as intellectually, creatively or personally advantaged;
- set appropriate boundaries for the utilization of their abilities;
- collaborate with others, and manage the daily dilemmas of giftedness involving relatives, bosses, co-workers, neighbors, counselors, teachers and other members of the community.
Other problems, ways in which giftedness complicates things:
- Tolerance for ambiguity & complexity leads to difficulty making decisions, difficulty with career path
- Intensity: too needy, too sensitive, too friendly, too excited, too driven, too disorganized, too fast, too competitive, too arrogant, work too hard
- Thinking too much, can’t turn it off, obsessional style
- Not having goals or never being satisfied; perfectionism; confusing exhaustion for accomplishment
RESOURCES ON GIFTEDNESS
- S.E.N.G — Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted. An organization in the States that offers annual events, ongoing research and opportunities to connect. Website
- Your Rainforest Mind by Paula Strober. A wonderful and informative blog by a specialized therapist who works with the Gifted. Blogsite
Open Session Space 