In just a few decades, electronic networks have expanded beyond all expectations. Instant messaging via smart phones and computers of all sorts whizz round the world. Researchers and policy makers are strongly divided in their findings and conclusions as to the effects of possible persuasive changes on the minds and lives of children, particularly…

In this issue's lead article, Joan Freeman presents ideas which have emerged from her experiences in her long career of studying gifts and talents. She has been heavily involved in research and teaching, and has visited gifted educational provision all over the world. She has also spent a great deal of intimate time with gifted and talented people…

In this article, Joan Freeman responds to this issue's responses to her article, "A Quality of Giftedness." Freeman found much welcome support in the 13 international responses for her proposal suggesting a special quality in some gifted individuals which other gifted individuals do not have. There is considerable agreement that this…

Roland S. Persson's (2012a) argument is that there is a dominant research culture in the field of gifts and talents, which must of necessity distort research and practice in cultures which are different. He ties this to the dominance of the global economy and points to the need for more cross-cultural studies. In this commentary, the author points…

Very little is known about the extent or depth of musical and artistic abilities of children in Britain. Attempts to find out why some children were outstandingly successful in music or art as compared with their peers, and to examine the unique problems implied in the identification and prediction of these specific attitudes. (Author/RK)

A British study that compared 12 musically gifted children (ages 8- 11) and 12 children gifted in fine arts with controls, found environmental circumstances, especially at home, were of vital importance for exceptionally high-level performance, even when there was provision at schools for developing talent. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Twelve elementary children talented in music and 12 talented in fine arts were matched with controls and given tests of personality, intelligence, verbal fluency, and an interest questionnaire. Despite little difference in general intelligence or reported development for the two groups, differences were found in self-confidence and home…

This article reviews present services in gifted education in western Europe (e.g., Britain, Germany, the Netherlands) and eastern Europe. Noted are individual accommodations such as individual acceleration and privately funded national competitions. Stressed is the importance of international communication in gifted education and specific…