Introduction
In the article, the group of researchers examines and analyzes the issue of giftedness and of talent. They pay special attention to two questions (1) the existence of innate talents and (2) the role and importance of initial conditions in the further development of a talented child. The research is based on a detailed analysis of literature and existed theories including Anastasi (1958), John B. Watson (1924), Ceci, Barnett, and Kanaya (2003), etc. Using the theory of Dickens and Flynn (2001), the researchers create a model of inherited and non-inherited personal taints which influence the giftedness and talent of an individual. The research concludes that both inherited and non-inherited taints have an equal impact on personality development and his unique talents.
Main body
The strength of this research is that it provides readers with a detailed review and analysis of theoretical perspectives used to form a sample. Using Dickens and Flynn’s approach, the researchers construct a hypothetical model which demonstrates that “as the number of traits that are required for a competency increases, an individual moves to a higher group corresponding to different initial conditions” (Papierno et al n.d.). The authors argue that there has long been general agreement that personality factors are important in creative achievement and talent. Even in the matter of measuring unique abilities, there have been persistent and recurrent indications of genetic predispositions to talent. The weakness of the research is that it does not use a true experimental study and real-life results. This factor increases the subjectivity of the research and question its scientific value. Thus, this hypothetical model can be tested (or rejected) by other researchers in a true experimental study.
The value of the study is that the researchers analyze and evaluate previous research results and create a new model and explanation of talent. They conclude that “innate talent, in the form of genetic predispositions for domain-relevant skills, may be one initial condition for expertise, [but] it is not the only one for a pathway to exceptional ability” (Papierno et al n.d.). Ability alone cannot produce outstanding accomplishment. This requires a confluence of various non-intellective facilitators such as motivation, a secure self-concept, the capacity to stay on task, sound mental health, the desire to show and share one’s talent, and many others.
Conclusion
The results are consistent with the hypothesis that innate talents and initial conditions are crucial for the development of a talented personality. Thus, a careful inspection of real-life results is needed. Future research on this topic will help to expand the existing knowledge and test the hypothesis. The researchers identify many environmental influences which dictate not only the degree to which the child’s ability will be permitted to develop but even the kinds of talent that a society is willing to honor. These environmental influences include not only the child’s family, peer group, school, and community, but also expertise. Expertise features to some degree in all talent areas because different levels of intellectual ability are required for various kinds of accomplishment. For an individual to emerge as gifted, his or her reasoning ability must be anchored in some specific area of performance (music, sport, art). The researchers state new questions and issues which would help to investigate the nature and roots of talent. They single out the importance of: “the exploration of specific combinations of traits and proximal processes influence the development of expertise” (Papierno et al n.d.). The overall presentation of the material and research is good.
References
Papierno, P. B. et al The Nature and Nurture of Talent: A Bioecological Perspective on the Ontogeny of Exceptional Abilities. The Prufrock Press Inc [on-line].