Wide variations
exist among the gifted. The following list of characteristics is
a very general description of the group as a whole.
- Is intellectually
curious, innovative, and playful with ideas.
- Enjoys
the challenge and involvement of intellectual and creative tasks.
- Has a
keen and sometimes unique sense of humor.
- Is an
independent thinker and seeks to act independently.
- Develops
at an early age an inner control and satisfaction which may
lead to divergent and nonconformist behavior.
- Formulates
abstractions while very young and shows facility in moving from
concrete to abstract levels of thinking and of communicating.
- Prefers
complex tasks and processes information in complex ways.
- Reads
at an early age and comprehends with advanced understanding.
- Reads
widely and reads intensively in areas of special interest.
- Acquires
basic skills rapidly and with a minimum of practice.
- Comprehends
advanced ideas, concepts, and implications.
- Has an
unusual ability to memorize.
- Is impatient
with detail and drill, which may result in gaps in basic skills
for some.
- Resists
requirement of unnecessary detail in the completion of tasks.
- Explores
wide-ranging and special interests not usually associated with
children of his age and relates well to peers and adults who
have similar interests.
- Expends
much energy and time in pursuing special interests and may be
involved in numerous projects and activities.
- Employs
high intellectual and creative skills in assessing his physical
and social environment, in solving problems, and in creating
products.
- Generates
many ideas and multiple solutions to problems.
- Copes
with environment situations in resourceful and creative ways.
- Expresses
himself fluently, clearly, and forcefully with words, numbers
and creative products.
- Demonstrates
richness of imagery in informal language and brainstorming.
- Has capability
for extraordinary leadership and tends to assume leadership
responsibility.
- Rebels
against irrelevant learning requirements.
- Points
out conflicting societal values and challenges authority.
- Becomes
excited about new ideas but may not carry them through.
- Creates
and invents beyond the parameters of knowledge in the field.
- Can improvise
with commonplace materials.
- Has high
expectations of self and others which may lead to high levels
of frustration with self, others, and situations.
- May tend
to be a loner at least part of the time.
- May have
a sense of his own uniqueness which leads to feelings of loneliness.
This list
of characteristics is from the CALIFORNIA REPORT OF THE BLUE
RIBBON COMMITTEE FOR EDUCATION OF THE GIFTED TO WILSON RILES,
STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. (1974) pp. 12-14 |
