The author describes gifted children who hide their giftedness to seek social acceptance and thereby achieve invulnerability, then presents the "Gifted and Talented Personality Pyramid" model, which consists of four facets: environment, behavior, relationships, and selfhood. (MC)

Studies of personality integration in children and adults show that certain personality characteristics that predict effective behavior appear to be remarkably continuous regardless of differences in age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. The studies point to the importance of self-esteem for effective behavior. (PP)