Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Zeus, mythical ruler of Mount Olympus and king of gods and men, could kill any of his enemies by hurling a thunderbolt of forked lightning at them. The ancient Greeks, puzzled by natural phenomena, could understand a terrifying lightning bolt if they thought an angry Zeus had thrown it. The myth was both imaginative and comforting — especially to a mortal who had remembered his sacrifices to Zeus. If the mortal was wayward, however, and had decided to seek fate's blessing under a large pine tree during a thunderstorm, he may have soon learned more about lightning than myth had told.

Myths are often dangerous - not just to wayward ancient Greeks but also to the modern-day gifted child. Can you distinguish modern myths about giftedness from the realities revealed by educational research?Simply put a check beside the answer you think is correct. The answer key beginning on the next page will let you know your Reality Quotient.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Fisher

The effect of labeling on gifted children and their families. Roeper Review, February, 1981, pp. 49–51.

Frasier

The Dynamics of Locating Gifted Disadvantaged. Keynote address at Kansas's Conference on the Disadvantaged Gifted, October 24, 1980.

George

W.C.

Cohn

S.J.

Stanley

J.C.

; eds. Educating the Gifted: Acceleration and Enrichment. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1979.

Getzels

J.W.

Jackson

P.W.

, The Study of Giftedness: A multidimensional Approach. The Gifted Student, OE-35016, Cooperative Research Monograph No. 2, Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, pp. 6–18.

MacKinnon

D.W.

The Nature and Nurture of Creative Talent. American Psychologist, Vol. 17, 1962, pp. 484–95.

Martinson

R.A.

The Identification of the Gifted and Talented. Ventura, Calif.: Office of the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, 1974.

Marland

S.P.

Our Gifted and Talented Children - A Priceless National Resource. Intellect, October, 1972, pp. 16–19.

Meyers

D.G.

Ridl Aren't

All Children Gifted?

Today's Education, February, 1981, pp. 49–51.

Renzulli

J.S.

What Makes Giftedness? Reexamining a Definition. Phi Delta Kappan, Vol. 60, 1978, pp. 180–4 and 261.

10.

Sellin

D.F.

Birch

J.W.

Educating Gifted and Talented Learners. Rockville, MD: Aspen Systems Corporation, 1980.

11.

Sisk

Future Trends in G/T Education. G/C/T, January-February, 1981, pp. 2–6.

12.

Terman

L.M.

The Discovery and Encouragement of Exceptional Talent. American Psychologist, June, 1954, pp. 221–230.

13.

Treffinger

Address to a Shawnee Mission, Kansas, Association for Parents of Gifted Children, February, 1981.

14.

Witty

P.A.

The Education of the Gifted and the Creative in the U.S.A.

The National Elementary Principal, February, 1972, pp. 1423.

15.

Weiner

E.H.

, ed. Sex Role Stereotyping in the Schools. Washington: National Education Association, 1980.

Myths and Realities of Giftedness: A Test

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References