A reply to Appel

Abstract

In his paper Steve Appel raises some very important points with regard to the nature and nurture of ‘giftedness’. Firstly, many writers have attempted to define and qualify ‘giftedness’ in the same way that writers have attempted to define and quantify ‘creativity’. Both qualities are multi-faceted, all people manifest both ‘giftedness’ and ‘creativity’ in varying modes and degrees but neither aspect of human behaviour is easily definable nor quantifiable; yet, nevertheless, there seems to be a common consensus that some individuals possess certain qualities and manifest certain behaviours that are exceptional. Educators unfortunately, because of the formal system of schooling which demands that they quantify pupils' efforts and achievements within a narrow definition of education, also seek to quantify the whole range of human capacities and potentials.