Gifted Children: The Promise of Potential/The Problems of Potential

VSAIEEDC - A Cognition-Based Generic Model for Qualitative Data Analysis in Giftedness and Talent Research

“…Fiedler, 1999;Kelly-Streznewski;Redfield-Jamison, 1993;Shekerjian, 1990). To study socio-emotional aspects of giftedness, a qualitative approach is inevitable for depth and richness of information and understanding, which is not to say of course it is the only approach.…”

The Unwanted Gifted and Talented: A Sociobiological Perspective of the Societal Functions of Giftedness

“…Kelly-Streznewski (1999) speaks of "the mixed blessings of extraordinary potential" in her study of 100 grownups aged 28-90. Fiedler (1999), who has reviewed this particular field of study, concludes that "along with the promise of potential come the problems of potential-problems that are often a direct effect of differing from the norm in ways that others are not necessarily prepared to deal with" (p. 434).…”

“…Concern has been raised by some researchers that the young gifted, particularly when feeling alienated (such as by stigmatization) from their social context, take to "antisocial behavior". This too is perhaps a dubious term considering that it is even more of a social construction (see Fiedler, 1999). In other words, we seek only to identify and hopefully stimulate those talents which society recognizes as particularly valuable in one way or another.…”

Voices in the Wilderness: Counselling Gifted Students in a Swedish Egalitarian Setting

“…He was always painfully aware of the cultural pressure to conform in accordance with "The Code of Jante"; to be like everyone else. Note that research has indeed pointed out self-destructive behaviour, even to the extent of suicide, as part of the picture in understanding the maladaption of gifted individuals in various social settings (Leroux, 1986;Fiedler, 1999).…”