FAQS: Frequently asked questions about giftedness

What preconceptions do people
have about gifted people?
The media often portrays gifted people in stereotypical
ways, for example, as a shy person who is highly intelligent
but unable to cope with the demands of everyday
life or as an overachiever who not only effortlessly earns
excellent grades but is also involved in the community
and likeable. In most cases, these clichés do not correspond
to reality (see p. 22). They do, however, influence
the image others have of gifted people—creating a new
reality, so to speak—and challenge the gifted to confront
these stereotypes. The “stigma of giftedness” approach
suggests that some gifted individuals are afraid of being
conspicuous to others or of being ostracized because of
their giftedness. This is especially true for gifted adolescents.
As a response, they may exhibit various behaviors
that are ultimately harmful to them. For example, they
may attempt to conform to the stereotype; or they may
blend in and hide their giftedness; or in the extreme case,
they may also deny and reject their giftedness and actually
badmouth gifted people.
Stereotypes and prejudices can also have an effect on
the behavior of others toward the gifted. If teachers assume,
for example, that a gifted child is more likely to be difficult
in the classroom, this will be reflected in their reactions
and behaviors toward that child. In turn, like a “self-fulfilling
prophecy”, this can actually lead to the gifted child behaving
in a difficult manner. It is therefore very important to shed
light on false stereotypes and prejudices about gifted
people—and not only about those held by other people,
but also those held by the gifted people themselves. Apart
from achievement-related characteristics, gifted individuals
do not differ systematically from individuals who are not
gifted. And just like their nongifted peers, gifted people are
also quite diverse.
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