Giftedness as a Propensity to Use Creativity-Generating Intellectual Styles

Abstract

Giftedness is a multifaceted construct and, as such, can be conceptualized in numerous ways. In this chapter, it is argued that giftedness can be conceptualized as a propensity to use creativity-generating intellectual styles. Intellectual styles refer to people’s preferred ways of processing information and dealing with tasks. This chapter is composed of three parts. The first part introduces the construct of intellectual style and provides justifications for the present conception. The second part reviews two types of research evidence supporting the conception: The first type comprises studies aimed at identifying the intellectual styles of the gifted; and the second type consists of studies examining the relationship between intellectual styles and several attributes long considered to be crucial to the notion of giftedness. The final part discusses the implications of the research findings for identification of gifted students and for special gifted education programs and inclusive gifted education.