Major Contributors.
Person |
Major Contributions |
Alfred Binet |
|
Lewis Terman |
|
Leta Hollingworth |
|
Mary Frasier |
|
Paul Torrance |
|
Theorists.
Theorist |
Major Contributions |
Francoys Gagne |
What's the difference between being gifted and being talented? Gagne’s work attempts to distinguish talents from gifted abilities. While both groups represent the top 10% of intelligence on a bell curve, giftedness centers around natural ability and one’s potential, while talent stems from achievement and skill. What is Giftedness and Talent? A Discussion by Francoys Gange Gange's Differentiated Model of Gifted and Talented Chart |
Joseph Renzulli, Ed.D |
Gifted is an adjective, not a noun. Until a person has turned potential into performance, they have not manifested their abilities. This explains why Renzulli attaches his theory to the three rings: above average ability, creativity, and task commitment. In his eyes, without one, true giftedness can never be achieved. And although his rings are well-defined, there is much more room for flexibility in identifying and developing gifted behaviors in the classroom. What is Giftedness? - Joseph Renzulli Schoolwide Enrichment Model Renzulli Learning |
Howard Earl Gardner |
Seven Multiple Intelligences Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences allows us to recognize different individual strengths in learning. By understanding our unique “intelligence(s)”, we can tap into passion behind learning and better serve students educationally. What are the Multiple Intelligences? - Gardner |
George Betts |
Let's differentiate giftedness. George Betts developed 6 profiles of gifted individuals: Successful, Challenging, Underground, Dropouts, Double-labeled, and Autonomous. His identification matrix categorizes gifted learners into these profiles based on behaviors, feelings, needs, and other identifying factors. Betts believes it is important to differentiate within the category of giftedness to better support these learners. This brought the development of ALM, a learning model that expands opportunities for development of various gifted learners. Profiles of Gifted and Talented |
Robert Sternberg |
It's a balancing act. Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory shows intelligence to be a balancing act of three intelligences: creative, analytical, and practical. Success is not innately within us; we must use these abilities (and adapt our weaknesses) to achieve it. Successful Intelligences - Sternberg |
Kazimierz Dabrowski |
Five Overexcitabilities Dabrowski’s Theory of Positive Disintegration is based in his 5 overexcitabilities: psychomotor, sensual, imaginational, intellectual, and emotional. Unlike some of our other theorists, Dabrowski focuses more on measured and observable personality traits to identify giftedness through Developmental Potential. Like Betts’ gifted profiles, this theory allows us to differentiate between types of gifted learners. |