Two implicit metaphors can be seen as having dominated the study of the gifted--the savings bank and the investment bank. In the savings-bank metaphor, people have differential levels of IQ or general intelligence, which is viewed as determining whether they are gifted. Their cognitive ability is their metaphorical "money in the bank."…

The field of giftedness--including educators, theorists, and researchers--needs to show more cognizance of a phenomenon that is rearing its ugly head in more and more visible ways, namely, dark giftedness. Dark giftedness is giftedness used for bad and even toxic ends. Being gifted provides little, if any protection against the dark deployment of…

Explores the traditional model of fixed individual differences in intelligence and suggests that a more flexible and optimistic view of human capabilities is one that sees abilities as a form of developing expertise. Outlines five key elements of a model of developing expertise. (SLD)

The flexible use of the mind for mental self-governance accounts for a variety of thinking styles. Just as the functions of mental self-government resemble those of government branches (legislative, executive, and judicial), the forms of mental self-government have government analogues (monarchic, hierarchic, oligarchic, and anarchic). Teacher…

Links the literatures on human abilities and expertise, suggesting that human abilities are a form of developing expertise. Discusses the role of tests in a scheme that regards abilities as developing expertise and presents a model that implies a shift toward practice grounded in the development of knowledge-based expertise in all children.…

Progress, or lack thereof, in the development of ability testing is reviewed. Current tests, though inadequate, respond to the demands of test consumers. Test publishers must look ahead to changing demands and begin to lead the market, rather than follow it, by drawing on basic research in testing. (SLD)