What K-12 Teachers Need to Know About Teaching Gifted Black Girls Battling Perfectionism and Stereotype Threat

Abstract

Perfectionism is commonly associated with gifted females, yet little research examines perfectionism across racial groups. Although gifted Black girls’ perfectionistic tendencies mirror other females, they experience perfectionism uniquely at the intersection of race and gender. Perfectionism can contribute to gifted Black girls’ desire to exceed academic expectations and guidelines, but emotional distress can arise when compounded by stereotype threat. This article will highlight ways perfectionism can be psychologically distressing to gifted Black females in the K-12 setting, and how perfectionism and stereotype threat affect achievement, emotional well-being, and motivation of gifted Black girls. Finally, this article concludes with promising practices for educators in the K-12 setting who work with gifted Black girls.