Developmental Trajectories of Giftedness in Children

Abstract

Our article focuses on the development of giftedness in children. First, we outline demands for a model that wants to describe giftedness development and introduce the Munich Dynamic Ability-Achievement Model. Second, we summarize and review current approaches that explain how giftedness in children develops, e.g., genetic psychology, cognitive psychology, expertise research, or research with focus on interest, personality, family, or learning environment. The genetic approach for instance shows that there are various interactions between innate aspects and environmental factors. Expertise research on the contrary concentrates on practice. Other approaches try to identify factors of the child like motivation, attribution, or curiosity. Special attention will be directed at gender differences. One problem is that giftedness in girls is more often overlooked. Reasons like different expectations from parents and educators or different performances by boys and girls shall be explored. Finally, we shortly point out some ways to promote gifted children.