Gifted people are fascinating, there is no surprise about that. There is just something magnetizing about someone who has a unique or special skill that separates them from the rest.
And while we would all likely wish to be gifted, deep down, being gifted isn’t always what it is cracked up to be. Profoundly gifted (PG) individuals have often misunderstood individuals who are complex, precise, hold high expectations, and have a quirky sense of humor. While that likely doesn’t sound all that bad, at times, many gifted people find it hard to fit in.
For a deeper exploration of the complexities and nuances of giftedness, ‘Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults‘ by James T. Webb and others offers a comprehensive look into the psychological aspects of being gifted. This book can provide valuable insights for those who feel misunderstood or out of place due to their exceptional abilities.
Of course, gifted people have various traits and tendencies. However, one particular study carried out that was published in the journal High Ability Studies sought to understand personality traits that were intrinsically tied to being gifted. To do this, the researchers carried out a meta-analysis of gifted individuals and compared them to the big 5 personality traits.
“To understand the relationship between creativity, intelligence, and personality traits, ‘Creativity: The Psychology of Discovery and Invention‘ by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a must-read. It delves into the minds of creative individuals and how their openness to new experiences shapes their worldviews and achievements.”
Those personality traits are Extroversion, Conscientiousness, Openness to Experience, Neuroticism, and Agreeableness.
Then, the researchers used research articles and data collected on 3,244 gifted individuals. Comparing personality traits of gifted and non-gifted individuals, they found no major differences between the two when it came to Agreeableness, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, or Neuroticism. But, they did find a strong link between Openness to New Experience.
And the fact that openness to new experience is highly-linked to intelligence is nothing new, as creativity and curiosity are major factors that contribute to high intelligence. With that being said, finding a link between gifted individuals the big five personality traits is new.
For those interested in personal development and enhancing their cognitive abilities, ‘Mindset: The New Psychology of Success‘ by Carol S. Dweck presents a groundbreaking approach to achieving one’s full potential. The book emphasizes the role of mindset in developing intelligence and personal growth.
If you are wondering as to whether or not a person can become more open to new experiences to become more gifted, research shows that it is possible to adapt to new personality traits and change the personality to achieve the desired result.
And while many would hold a stigma towards gifted people with the thought that their gifted tendencies make them more closed off, this study proves the opposite. As more and more research is done on this topic, it will be interesting to see what all they find out.