A conception of giftedness: Intelligence, self concept and motivation

Abstract

Current conceptions of giftedness and intelligence are reviewed and a conception of giftedness as an interaction of intelligence, special abilities or talents, self concept and resultant motivation to achieve is presented. An important distinction is made between those traits which can be identified in young children and those behaviors which should serve as the goals or outcomes of a program for gifted students. The authors conclude that motivation, self concept, and creativity should not serve as components of an identification scheme, but instead should be major goals of gifted programs.