FEELINGS AND ATTITUDES OF GIFTED STUDENTS

Differences between the self-perceptions of gifted high school freshme n (n = 62) and nongifted peers (n = 162) were assessed regarding intim acy with family and peers, social support, family responsibilities, se lf-esteem, depression, and risk-taking behavior. Gifted students perce ived themselves as being more intimate with friends, assuming fewer fa mily responsibilities, and taking more risks (both sports- and danger- related risks). Contrary to the literature suggesting delays in the so cial development of gifted students, these data indicate that gifted s tudents may be socially precocious when compared with their nongifted peers. Gifted students and their teachers were also administered the P erceptions about Giftedness Scale. Gifted students reported feeling th e same as, or better than, their peers about their academic and social skills, and their teachers closely agreed. However, the teachers rate d the gifted students as being less happy than the students rated them selves.