Heterogeneity within the gifted: Higher IQ boys exhibit behaviors resembling boys with learning disabilities

Previous studies of the gifted have been inconsistent, portraying them as b oth more and less well adjusted than the nongifted or less gifted. We exami ned behavioral, cognitive, attentional, and family history dimensions among four groups of 87 boys: High Gifted (IQ 140-154), Low Gifted (IQ 124-139), Learning Disabled, and a Normal control group. Findings indicated that Hig h Gifted boys exhibit levels of behavior problems similar to the Learning D isabled, whereas Low Gifted boys demonstrate significantly lower levels of behavioral problems than do the Learning Disabled boys. These data provide support for the view of the gifted population as heterogeneous, with the Hi gh Gifted exhibiting more behavioral problems than the Low Gifted.