About the Project

The Short Version:

The Long Versi​on:

The purpose of this research is to explore gifted adults’ experiences of self-concept development.  In particular, I am interested in those moments of connection when another person reflects to you a version of yourself that matches your self-concept.  These may be rare times that you feel deeply understood by another.  Learning more about these experiences and their effects will help guide gifted children and other gifted adults in moving more smoothly through their development.

Gifted children face unique social and emotional challenges due to their advanced cognition and unusual intensity. These challenges can manifest as developmental difficulties that may not be resolved in childhood.  Like anyone else, gifted adults may look for resolution for the effects of those childhood developmental snags.  However, little research has been done about the unique social and emotional challenges gifted adults may face, leaving gifted adults, their families, and their counselors bereft of guidance.  Although one study cannot hope to provide understanding of all of the developmental problems gifted adults may face, this study will contribute one piece to filling that need. 

​In interviews, gifted children have indicated that they became aware of their difference early in life.  Like other children, they observe the reflections they receive from those around them, which contribute to their identity formation.  Unlike other children, they begin noticing and internalizing this information when they are younger than other children.  They become acutely aware that the way they see themselves differs from the way the rest of the world sees them. The reflections they receive often do not align with their own self-understanding, impairing their identity formation. 
As children grow, they may become gifted adults who struggle with conflict in their self-understanding. 

Accurate reflections are hard to come by when one differs from the majority of the population, as is the case for gifted people. Others more often receive the accurate reflections they need in childhood and adolescence.  Gifted children, as outliers, may not find their accurate reflections at the appropriate time of their development; however, gifted adults may discover reflections that fill the void left in childhood.

​This study is an investigation of how gifted adults experience resolution of childhood identity gaps.  Because of their differences, gifted children can have a difficult time finding reflections that align with their self-concepts.  Lack of accurate reflections in childhood can impede identity development, leading to potential challenges in adulthood.  In this study, you and the researcher will explore the adult experience of finding true reflections and how those experiences affect development in gifted adults.