For each of these themes, Nicolas Gauvrit first explains what it covers in general (representing in total approximately 50% of the book), and then presents the results and methodologies (sometimes grim reading for repetitive) test Scientists carried out on groups of children gifted in different countries. End of the chapter, there is an insert in short, very appreciable, which synthesizes the following: this belief and its corollaries they are confirmed, refuted by studies, or simply impossible to demonstrate the absence of evidence sufficiently numerous and relevant?
Note first that the same frustrating situation is repeated at length by the scientist: there are often not enough evidence or adequate studies to confirm or refute certain assumptions, and after him, sampling Departure is skewed because most gifted studied are those who have problems with the school system.
Despite these obstacles, Nicola Gauvrit managed to get valid results, and several features are well confirmed by scientific studies with a good level of evidence (I summarize below): the brains of gifted is decidedly different; intelligence and precocity are mostly hereditary and genetic; gifted children have a better insight about the world and death, well before the other, and so are less able to cope with nightmares; they are affected by disorders of the nebula of "dys"; Autism does not predispose to giftedness; precocious children have more humor than the other and it is often positive; gifted are particularly creative; they have a moral reasoning ahead of others and have a moral sensitivity and a sense of greater justice.
Anyway ... nothing new under the sun in relation to my own knowledge, or in relation to other books written by specialists psychologists gifted gifted children or themselves! While these books are less scientific, but it falls more or less the same conclusions.
Finally, very few preconceptions are overturned by the peeled tests and compiled by Nicolas Gauvrit: according to his research, and contrary to what one might think, "gifted children are not more depressed than other children and would be contrary to the less anxious. " This information left me puzzled if not doubtful, for I was myself very anxious or distressed during my schooling (like many other gifted I know) while succeeding very well. I have therefore never been taken before a psychologist by my parents who were not connected "psy" and felt that my good grades sufficient to justify good mental health. See a psychologist and would be listened to me yet very helpful emotionally and psychically. So Mr. Gauvrit is mistaken when he says that ordinary gifted children are doing very well and for that reason it does not lead to the shrink. I would have also liked his work further analysis the influence of family environment and parental neuroses on emotions and self-esteem of the child prodigy. I wish he talks about children "ordinary gifted" over-adapted to school.
But back on topic! I find it strange and unfortunate that the major themes associated with giftedness as hypersensitivity or hyperesthesia, are not addressed, if only technically, in the book.
Some chapters are exciting and vibrant as informative (informative on the general theme itself than on the link with the Gifted). Other chapters are all too disseminated or too abstract to be credible, eg chapters on emotional intelligence or personality. The personality test "OCEAN" quoted by the author does not also convinced me at all and did not add much to the book.
The examples given earlier this chapter by the author have not seemed particularly relevant, they seem sometimes a bit naive. The questions posed in the form of game player are a cinch, wondering if the author really knows "live" the public gifted adults who read the book, or if he simply knows from books and scientific tests it has traveled. He never implies and does not also exposes its own link to giftedness, or why this theme is interested in, what sense this survey is to him, which is a bit annoying. It appropriates and uses the term "zebra" regularly and this unexplained familiarity surprises even puts uncomfortable. Indeed, this book is very "left brain" and rational, neutral, cold and descriptive. As wrote another reader, this book lacks "soul and depth," he does not touch emotionally. Not enough for me to put 4 stars for example.
Nicolas Gauvrit in his foreword, said to fill with his book, an empty space between two types of publication:
- On one side the guide books for parents, he "practices but overly pessimistic," written by psychologists about some particular cases gifted children hurt themselves, ?? (This analysis puzzled me, it's not that I'm doing this literature)
- And on the other side, austere academic and scientific publication.
From the point of view of popular science accessible and enjoyable, the bet is successful. From the point of view of writing a book while remaining optimistic practice, much less. Where is the optimism we supposed to be shown? Where is the practical side of the book?
Too bad also that the cover photo is in total contradiction with the title of the book: it shows a baby (! Is not working yet) solve mathematical equations senior ... suggesting that it is a genius ... and not at all an "ordinary gifted." The photo is falling into this big picture that my hair bristles ("the gifted is necessarily a genius"), while the title of the book speaks secretly gifted who are not geniuses, but have all the characteristics of giftedness (high IQ , hypersensitivity, hyperesthesia, Tree thinking, creativity, strong values, etc). Slight impression of deception ...
The title "Ordinary Gifted" gives hope to finally have the answer to these nagging questions that haunt most gifted since childhood: I am well "normal"? Can I finally too like others, to be part of the other, without feeling constantly shifting or misunderstood or rejected? Can I be "ordinary" within the meaning of the term resting? Can I melt into the ground and be accepted as I am? But the book's content is not related to the title. How does peeling one by one scientifically certain characteristics of giftedness, and validate the most of them, if he approaches the gifted "ordinary"? The logic escapes me. I have not seen the demonstration. A title like "Legends and truths about giftedness" or "Gifted seen by science" would seem more appropriate to me.
In conclusion, despite some interesting chapters, here is a book that left me on my hunger and not brought me much. It is certainly nice to have tangible demonstrations and confirmations. In this, thank Nicolas Gauvrit for taking the trouble to check. But that's a lot of work on the part of the author for a result rather thin and already known in the end, and does not justify the price of the book (19 euros anyway). Scientific and too cold on the length, not enough rich and incomplete, and poorly chosen title picture. Still, it is a reliable reading and a source of information for who knows nothing about giftedness.
