Responds to the previous article, which proposed a set of 22 sequentially structured statements on the nature and origin of human abilities, gifts, and talents. Takes issue with the distinction made between natural abilities and systematically developed abilities, and thus the distinction between giftedness and talent. (Author/CR)

This paper argues that, at a time when fundamental issues of educational philosophy and practice are being addressed by society, the field of gifted education is becoming irrelevant as it merely defends gifted programs as if they were an end, rather than a means to an end. (DB)

Cognitive controls were isolated through factor analysis with 59 intermediate-grade gifted students, and three cognitive styles were defined by cluster analysis. The cognitive style labeled "strict percept-strict concept" was associated with greater facility in divergent thinking. Study findings support explanations of giftedness through the use…

Analysis of scores on three divergent production tests taken by 59 gifted students (grades 4-6) sought to isolate three variables assumed to be factors of divergent production: ideational fluency, spontaneous flexibility, and originality. Results cast doubt on the existence of spontaneous flexibility and originality as valid cognitive factors.…

The article argues that, when judged on the basis of the strength of its research base, J. Renzulli's three-ring conception of giftedness is of questionable validity. Research on all three bases of the definition (above average general ability, task commitment, creativity) is reviewed. (Author/DB)