Rena F. Subotnik’s research while affiliated with University of California, Berkeley and other places

Insider knowledge is critical information about how to achieve success that is not available to the general public but is relatively well‐known to individuals within the domain and to those who have access to those individuals. The goal of this study was to examine the perceived role of insider knowledge in a sample of highly accomplished American professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We asked participants explicitly if insider knowledge had played a role in their talent development trajectory from K–12 education to their current creative work, with questions related to experiences at the undergraduate and graduate level and during their careers. The study was exploratory, so no formal hypotheses were put forward. Given the lack of research on the topic of insider knowledge as defined in this paper, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with a select group of individuals who had successful careers in STEM fields, both to see if insider knowledge was something that they considered important and to see if they felt that insider knowledge had played a role in their educational and career trajectories. Our hope is that the results of this paper will inform future in‐depth studies on the topic of insider knowledge.

The foundation for talent development as a framework for gifted education can be found in a synthesis of the psychological literature on creativity, eminence, giftedness, and high performance. The talent development framework acknowledges the contributions of both general cognitive ability and domain-specific abilities to achievement, as well as the malleability of these ability constructs. Talent development is also consistent with research on the contributions of non-cognitive or psychosocial factors to school achievement, as well as studies on factors that influence the attainment of scholarly productivity and artistry within specific domains of non-academic talent. Although there are several theoretical frameworks and models of giftedness, talent development, ability, and intelligence, each with varied areas of emphasis and desired outcomes, the research base and practical applications for the talent development megamodel (TDMM) can serve as a guide to leaders and school administrators in making fiscal and programmatic decisions that maximize short- and long-term impacts for individuals and society. In this article, we discuss some of the practical implications of the model for assessment, curriculum and instruction, and psychosocial development within a school context.

Talent development addresses important components and stages of domain trajectories from childhood through adulthood, with the goal of providing opportunities for achieving creative productivity for those with abilities and aspirations to pursue that goal. The talent development megamodel (TDMM) identifies the interaction of domain specific abilities, learning, mentoring opportunities, and psychosocial skills as central features of the model. We discuss domain specific abilities, both physical and cognitive (e.g., spatial reasoning), that drive possibilities for fulfilling talent in STEM, dance, and sport. A deeper look at these domain abilities introduces concerns for needed research especially as fields transform and evolve over time.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to inform readers about the nature of talent development prior to post-secondary education; describe the obstacles that individuals face because of poverty, racism or geography; and recommend asset-based approaches that can enable more individuals to be prepared to make significant contributions to society within their domain of talent. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used was to review research from the fields of education and psychology about talent in varied domains of sport, academics and the arts, as it relates to key components (domain pathways, opportunities and psychosocial skills) of the talent development megamodel proposed by Subotnik et al. (2011). Findings Findings include a delineation of the challenges that many nations face in cultivating talent among its young citizens particularly related to their socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity and geography. Findings include recommendations for new approaches to identification; a substantial increase in school and community-based, domain-specific opportunities; teacher training; and deliberate cultivation of psychosocial skills that can support achievement. Originality/value This paper emphasizes the importance of focusing efforts on talent development at earlier stages, which is critical to creating pathways for marginalized youths to maximize their potential and contributions to the workplace.

Developing gifted abilities by way of talent development serves two complementary goals: (a) helping individuals develop their potential into competencies and expertise and (b) transforming that expertise into constructive solutions to social, scientific, or aesthetic problems. There are numerous reasons why gifted people might choose to challenge themselves. Some people with enormous gifts are content to explore their abilities without solving problems for anyone but themselves; others are driven to contribute society and make the world a better place. In either case, it is important for talent development programs to communicate the costs, consequences, and potential contributions of creative productivity. Achieving this goal requires knowing both the appropriate learning experiences needed at a current stage of talent development as well as what is involved at forthcoming stages, with an eye towards preparing students for each transition. The point of programming is not necessarily to guide talented individuals in a specific direction, but rather to ensure that those engaged in the challenging process of talent development are aware of the potential impacts of their work beyond the immediate.KeywordsTalent developmentPsychosocial skillsInsider knowledgeTransformational creativityScience of persuasion

Who are outstandingly creative individuals that come to mind in music, sport, psychology, physics, or architecture? Almost everyone can think of someone whom they would label eminent. Some of these eminent individuals may be from the past, whereas others are still with us. In the extant literature, there are robust strands of research on giftedness and talent, expertise, and eminence. However, researchers in one strand often do not reference those in the other strands. The talent development megamodel (TDMM) was developed from an integration of literature on giftedness, expertise, and eminence, arguing that expertise is a point far beyond novice on the talent development trajectory, and eminence is the label reserved for the top contributors in a domain. In this paper, we review the literature situating eminence as the endpoint of a talent development trajectory, which can begin with gifted identification in schools and we highlight theories of giftedness which support this contention. Finally, we provide examples from several performance and production domains highlighting the TDMM’s proposed trajectory from potential to achievement to expertise, and sometimes, to eminence.