Abstract
Mathematical giftedness (MG) is an intriguing phenomenon, the nature of which has yet to be sufficiently explored. This study goes a step further in understanding how MG is related to expertise in mathematics (EM) and general giftedness (G). Cognitive testing was conducted among 197 high school students with different levels of G and of EM. Based on our previous studies, we perceive MG as a combination of G and EM. Exploratory factor analysis of test results revealed five main cognitive factors: visual-serial processing (VSP); arithmetic abilities (AA); pattern recognition (PR); auditory working memory (AWM); visual-spatial working memory (VSWM); and Structural equation modeling (SEM) based on the factor analysis revealed clear differences in the role of cognitive abilities as predictors of EM, G, and MG. The study demonstrates that visual components are especially important for the development of EM and that G students are less dependent on their visual cognitive processing. Based on the study results, we argue that EM, G, and MG, which are often considered equivalent characteristics, are interrelated but different in nature. The paper presents a research-based justification that not any gifted is an expert in mathematics and not any expert in mathematics is gifted.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 25-41 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Gifted and Talented International |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 2 Mar 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2022 World Council for Gifted and Talented Children.
Funding
This project was made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation (grant number 14447). The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation. We are grateful to the University of Haifa for the generous support it has provided for this study. This work was supported by the John Templeton Foundation [14447]. This project was made possible through the support of a grant from the John Templeton Foundation (grant number 14447). The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation. We are grateful to the University of Haifa for the generous support it has provided for this study.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| John Templeton Foundation | 14447 |
| University of Haifa |
Keywords
- Mathematical giftedness
- cognitive abilities
- expertise in mathematics
- general giftedness