Gifted 'n the 'Hood: Gender and Giftedness as Predictors of Social Risk Among Low-Income Students

• In Event: 66.058 - Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: 66.058-15 - Opportunities and Challenges for Underrepresented Gifted and Talented Students

Abstract

Research abounds on adolescent poverty and on gifted education, but they are seldom considered together. This study compares trajectories of weapon carrying and impulsiveness of impoverished, gifted youths compared with impoverished non-gifted youths. Results indicate that gifted boys have lower rates of weapon carrying during middle adolescence than and non-gifted boys; they also have lower rates of impulsivity than non-gifted boys during these same years. Gifted and non-gifted girls did not differ in weapon carrying during adolescence; however, gifted girls are less impulsive than non-gifted girls during middle adolescence. Implications of these findings for how gifted education programs can impact aggression, and ways to optimally structure these programs, are explored.

Authors

• Anneliese Bolland, The University of Alabama

• Sara E. Tomek, The University of Alabama

• Kevin D. Besnoy, The University of Alabama

• John Bolland, The University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa