Gifted: Definition, Characteristics, Types And Problems

Before defining giftedness, it is essential to attend to the intelligence concept< Well, intelligence refers to a set of functions of the individual, encompassing both cognitive and affective, social, intuitive, physical and emotional functions. Each person's intelligence can be strengthened or inhibited depending on the relationship and interaction between genetics and the environment.

Otherwise, the giftedness refers to those people who manage to achieve high potential with respect to the areas and functions mentioned above. Therefore, when we talk about gifted people We refer to those who demonstrate advanced development in the growth of their skills, both at school and on a daily basis in society in general. Thus, gifted people are differentiated from others by their high intellectual ability with respect to the average skills established based on their age.

Giftedness, like intelligence, can be measured through evaluation scales and standardized intelligence tests aimed at evaluating intelligence quotient (IQ).

What is the IQ of a gifted person like? Mainly, what differentiates gifted people from other people is the performance obtained through standardized tests that evaluate individuals’ IQ. Among the most used tests we find the so-called Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults (WAIS), the first being aimed at children and the second at adults. Thus, the results obtained allow us to differentiate gifted people with respect to the average result established based on age.

When is a person considered gifted? It is common to wonder what the exact IQ of gifted people is. Well, specifically, a person is considered gifted when he obtains a result regarding the IQ over 130<

The main characteristic that defines gifted people is their IQ. In this case, these are people with an IQ greater than 130. However, we must take into account other characteristics that gifted people have:

• High capacities.
• Exceptional performance.
• High memory capacity.
• Another characteristic of gifted people is that they are generally very curious people.
• High learning capacity.
• Gifted people are also characterized by being original and creative.
• They are perfectionist and detail-oriented people.

Within giftedness we can distinguish two types of giftedness different: giftedness with high IQ and creative giftedness.

• On the one hand, the giftedness related to high IQ refers to those academic abilities that students with high intellectual abilities demonstrate to have.
• On the other hand, the giftedness linked to creativity It refers to those real problems or situations that people encounter in their daily lives.

Thus, in order to determine if a person is gifted, standardized tests and tests will only be useful to determine giftedness linked to high intellectual abilities. On the other hand, in order to evaluate creative giftedness, specific aspects must be assessed, such as originality, imagination, ideas, etc.

In this sense, as its name indicates, high intellectual abilities are closely related to people’s intellectual and performance capacities. For this reason, to evaluate these capabilities, tests are used that are aimed at evaluating aspects such as memory, verbal fluency, attention among others.

When it comes to students with these characteristics, it is common for them to demonstrate low self-esteem, since they themselves are aware of their difference from other classmates, and they stand out compared to other students due to their high abilities. For this reason, highly gifted students may feel different from others and, therefore, show low self-esteem< In this article you will find activities to strengthen self-esteem in children.

As we have already indicated, one of the problems of gifted people is the fact of feeling different from others and, therefore, living with low self-esteem. However, problems such as lack of effort or interest shown in school tasks, negative attitude towards studies, bad behavior, among others, must also be taken into account.

For this reason, it is considered that most of the problems suffered by gifted people are linked to a lack of adaptation of these people due to the educational system and society. Therefore, the problems are reflected, most of the time, within the classroom during the educational stage.

Also common in the gifted are Emotional problems< On the other hand, gifted adults may present Social problems<

This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

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