Giftedness is characterized by an extraordinary ability not evident in the majority of people. It is a term used to refer to an individual with special talents. Gifted are those individuals who are well above average intelligence. The traditional definition consists of children having an IQ score of 130 or higher (Horowitz & O’Biriess, 1986).

The definition of “giftedness” includes superior general intellect, and superiority in a particular area such as mathematics, music, chess, painting, writing, creating etc. Experts view the gifted as occupying the top end of the continuum of intelligence (Humphreys, Zigler, and Farber, 1985).

Sternberg and Davidson (1984) pointed out that gifted children process information efficiently especially in tasks which need insight. Gardener (1983) believed that people can be gifted in one or more of the seven separate intelligences, such as music, dance, intrapersonal, interpersonal, linguistic, logical-mathematical, and spatial. Studies revealed that the gifted are found to be more mature and have fewer emotional problems than others (Janos, and Robinson, 1985).

In another investigation, researchers asked adult individuals with exceptional talents about the cause of their giftedness (Bloom, 1983). The individuals who excelled in Olympics, concert music, research on mathematics and neurology answered that their exceptional accomplishments were nourished by special environmental support, excellent teaching by noted teachers, motivational encouragement, and extensive support and encouragement from their parents.