IQ and patience.

[ygolo]

Gifted Adults

Gifted adults can misinterpret their complex and deep way of thinking as craziness. They can mistake their emotional intensity for emotional immaturity or see it as a character flaw. Because they have never been given information to explain what is "normal for gifted" they frequently experience frustration in the world, alienation, anger, self blame and emptiness. Without an adequate explanation of their gifted difference, they develop a façade with which they cover their authentic self; a face that they show to the world in order to fit in and so avoid disapproval or sanction.

Many gifted people consult a professional because they have difficulty deciding what to do with and in their lives. The traditional approach is to do what you are good at. But what if you are good at many things and don't want to miss out on exploring as many of them as possible? What if you don't think you are good enough at anything? What if you feel immobilised by the thought of not picking the "right" career? What if you feel that your life should have meaning and want a vocation and not simply a job? What if you are scared by the thought that no job will provide the stimulation, challenge and new learning that you crave? What if……..?

Because of their unique characteristics, gifted people need a different approach to counselling and career guidance; one based on the individual gifted self. When gifted adults are given information about what is "normal for gifted", they realise that, while they are statistically in the minority, they are not alone in the world. When gifted people have knowledge about themselves and what they need in order to lead a satisfying life, then they can use their intellectual abilities on ensuring that life provides these needs.

When gifted adults work with a professional on their career, the number one priority should be to construct a theoretical framework within which it is OK to be themselves. Gifted adults have a complex intellect and a burning desire for information. They have high levels of energy, intensity and sensitivity, set exceptionally high standards for themselves and others and are extremely hard on themselves. They are very independent and perceptive, like to be in control, are frequently driven, full of self doubt and often feel they must be self sufficient.

Despite the enormous diversity within the gifted population, the goal of professional work should always be the same: for the gifted adults to re-encounter, explore and value the gifted self and allow it to grow in its own unique way. It is the professional's job to provide whatever each gifted individual needs in order for this to happen. Working with gifted adults ideally requires specialised theoretical knowledge, intellectual flexibility, emotional strength, spiritual development, high levels of sensitivity and empathy, a love of spirited discussion and above all, a great sense of humour. Professionals working with gifted adults strive for this ideal even though they will never attain it and so they continue to learn.

I like to think the gifted style is what leads to the type of accomlishments more so than raw intelligence. I see it as beeing true of both Richard Feynman and John Bardeen, though distinctly different eccentreties were involved in both.

[Terian]

Originally Posted by ygolo

Gifted Adults

That describes me rather accurately, especially towards the end. I think it's difficult to describe oneself as "Gifted", however, because the implication is pretentious. I will definitely look into this more.

[ed111]

Originally Posted by Lucifer

There is a difference in knowledge and intelligence.

Intelligence denotes the ability to learn and contemplate situations to come up with your own ideas.

Whilst knowledge is merely the ability to remember information.

Someone can appear to be inteligent, when they are merely reciting information.

School is merely a piece of paper to let employers know how much you know. I find it to be a waste o time, but it is a neccessary waste of time.

I fully agree with this post. I realised from an early age that school was just an arbitrary system moulding individuals to what society needs rather than really being centres of learning and development (more so now that subjects are taught to specific tests). I undertook a deliberate policy of non-participation, much to the annoyance of certain staff. The irony is that I now work as a lecturer and encourage my students to achieve the highest grades in order that they might have a better opportunity to escape the deprived area they live in and to live more comfortable lifestyles.

As you can imagine, I need to be very patient with students: to try to explain topics repeatedly in order that they gain an understanding. It is very challenging for me to explain abstract concepts such as variables or objects in programming and I find it really tests my understanding of a topic (e.g. what do I really understand it as, how did I come to understand it). However I am driven to do it because I want the students to learn and improve (especially if they show interest), I believe I am doing something positive, and I am driven to be competent and successful in whatever I do.

[Victor]

I think it is well worth emphasizing that the gifted are very, very tiny in number. And that almost everyone else is normal.

Also, for the gifted person, the most important thing is to realise they are gifted. So that they can then set about developing their very unique self.

So it is important to pay to have yourself measured by a professional psychometrician.

And it is important to join a group of gifted people - and this probably excludes Mensa.

And it is important to find a counsellor who speciallses in gifted people.

And MBTI Central is just a chat group for normal people.

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Terian

That describes me rather accurately, especially towards the end. I think it's difficult to describe oneself as "Gifted", however, because the implication is pretentious. I will definitely look into this more.

Just as a writer is someone who can't help but write, a gifted person is someone who can't help being gifted.

It is not a question of describing oneself as gifted, or worrying about being pretentious.

It is a question of being.

So if you are sincere in wanting to know whether you are gifted, pay a professional psychometrician to test you.

Self testing on MBTI will only mislead you. This doesn't matter for normal people because it is a party game like astrology. But if you are gifted, you are wasting your time testing yourself with MBTI.

[Night]

Originally Posted by Victor

And MBTI Central is just a chat group for normal people.

This is precisely correct, and is worth saving for later.

[Eldanen]

Why all the need for competition? If you hoard what you know, it doesn't matter how smart or dumb you are, you'll always be able to make a profit off of it .

[Little Linguist]

I'm a dumbass and impatient. So there goes that theory----

[Uberfuhrer]

Originally Posted by ygolo

Gifted Adults



I like to think the gifted style is what leads to the type of accomplishments more so than raw intelligence. I see it as being true of both Richard Feynman and John Bardeen, though distinctly different eccentricities were involved in both.

That article knows me. Seriously.

A lot of my teachers told me or at least implied I was gifted, but I still got put into special ed classes, which ended up making me more self-conscious than anything and stunning my academic growth.

[ygolo]

Originally Posted by Uberfuhrer

That article knows me. Seriously.

A lot of my teachers told me or at least implied I was gifted, but I still got put into special ed classes, which ended up making me more self-conscious than anything and stunning my academic growth.

I could have been in remedial instead of gifted classes too. Luckily, I actually found the types of puzzle that were on IQ tests interesting as a kid. I had friends who weren't so lucky.