Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums GT Research Why Do Some People Learn Faster?

Interesting article from Wired Magazine I came across yesterday. Opening paragraph:
Dweck is highlighted in the article as well:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/10/why-do-some-people-learn-faster-2

I think this is somewhat true with respect to discouragement when you are practicing a skill and getting good at it, such as learning to play a musical instrument. You generally develop skills and expertise in limited domains because of practice.

However, the flip side of knowing that you accomplish some things very easily because of your high intelligence also means that, from a conceptual point of view, if it can be understood by somebody else that means that you should also be able to understand it.

Also, if other people don't understand it, it doesn't mean that you aren't going to be able to understand it. It might take you a few minutes to unlock the problem where others find it extremely difficult.

Thanks for posting the article. I think it is very good to have this in the back of your mind all the time with HG kids. There is that line which gets crossed where they know they are smart and don't want to fail because being smart is who they are. No matter how much you try and focus on the effort praise, we do cross that line. And on some level, kids do not want to disappoint us.



Ren