Characteristics of Gifted Children (page 4)

Affective/Social-Emotional Characteristics

• Large accumulation of emotions that has not be brought to awareness ( Clark, 2002).
• Unusual sensitivity to the feelings and expectations of others; sensitive (Clark, 2002; Silverman, 1997-2004).
• Heightened self-awareness ( Clark, 2002).
• Advanced sense of justice – idealism at an early age; concerned with justice, fairness (Clark, 2002; Roeper, 1988; Rogers, 1986; Silverman & Ellsworth, 1980 ).
• Earlier development of internal locus of control ( Clark, 2002).
• Unusual emotional depth and intensity; shows compassion; sensitivity (Clark, 2002; Silverman, 1997-2004; Piechowski, 1979, 1991; Webb, Meckstroth, & Tolan, 1982; Torrance, 1977; Dabrowski, 1972; S. Gallagher, 1985; Piechowski & Colangelo, 1984; Whitmore, 1980 ).
• Strong need for consistency between values and personal actions ( Clark, 2002).
• Advanced levels of moral judgment; morally sensitive (Clark, 2002; Silverman, 1997-2004; Gross, 1993; Hollingworth, 1942; Passow, 1988; Roeper, 1988; Silverman & Ellsworth, 1980; Terman, 1925 ).
• Strongly motivated by self-actualization needs ( Clark, 2002).

Psychomotor Characteristics

• Unusual quantity of input from environment through a heightened sense of awareness ( Clark, 2002).
• Unusual discrepancy between physical and intellectual development ( Clark, 2002).
• Has a high degree of energy (Clark, 2002; Feldhusen, 1986; Whitmore, 1980).                                                

References

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