Gifted women's perspectives on giftedness and success.

• Main Author: Norgang, Gloria.
• Other Authors: McKinnon, Margaret
• Format: Others
• Published: University of Ottawa (Canada) 2009
• Subjects: Women's Studies.
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10393/10002; http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-16607

The prototypical study of giftedness is the study of youth selected on the basis of the IQ score. Its counterpart, in the study of success, is the study of eminent men, particularly those who have achieved in the domains of science or mathematics. Though research concerning giftedness and success has been more varied than these models, they are reflective of research tendencies toward: the equation of giftedness with IQ; the focus on youth as a potential national resource; the measurement of success in product-oriented competitive terms such as vocational achievement or eminence; and the relative neglect of adult women in the study of success. To address areas disregarded in the above-mentioned research predilections, the present study was intended to explore more inclusive approaches to giftedness and success. More specifically, it was designed to address the following two concerns: (1) the need for research regarding gifted women selected and studied on the basis of definitions of giftedness which include developmental, creative, and emotional aspects of giftedness; and (2) the need for research concerning gifted women's perspectives on giftedness and success. The study was informed by a feminist perspective, and included a criterion-based selection of 13 Canadian adult women, ages 19-56, who were identified on the basis of their participation in ultrarunning events of 50-1300 miles in length. Two non-hierarchical interviews, of approximately two hours, were conducted with each woman. The data were analyzed qualitatively, and this iterative process was supported by the use of a reflexive journal, and by peer debriefing. A preliminary report of all findings was submitted to the participants in the study for member checking. The results of the present study indicate that gifted women's perspectives are consistent in some ways with the definitions of giftedness and success common in the research literature. Where they denote a difference is in these women's relative disinterest in product-oriented approaches and their emphasis on process-oriented approaches. Their definitions of giftedness focused on: the discovery and application of one's gifts, belief in self, compassion, and transformation. With regard to success, they emphasized: living consciously, inner recognition, and community. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)