Conceptions of Giftedness and Intelligence Among Finnish Schoolchildren and Adolescents

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Gifted Education, Creativity, and Talent Development Posters

Abstract

This paper presents results of a study in which Finnish schoolchildren and adolescents’ (N=791) implicit conceptions of giftedness and intelligence were examined. The aim was to investigate how these two concepts – giftedness and intelligence – are constructed and understood in the minds of schoolchildren and adolescents, and if they are seen as separate concepts or used as synonyms. Results show that giftedness and intelligence are not used as synonyms, as children and adolescents differentiate these concepts clearly: Giftedness is most often seen as multidimensional and innate, whereas intelligence is seen mainly as a persons’ cognitive feature. Furthermore, results support earlier evidence that giftedness is seen more fixed in nature than intelligence.

Authors

• Sonja Laine, University of Helsinki

• Elina Kuusisto, University of Helsinki

• Kirsi A. Tirri, University of Helsinki