Goodness-of-fit and the Gifted: A Dialogue Toolbox

Balanced research and practice

A mismatch between the internal developmental systems of gifted individuals and external social systems (school, age peers) gives rise an almost unavoidable lack of goodness-of-fit. Goodness-of-fit is a homeostatic mechanism that seeks an optimal match between individual and contextual characteristics. Not finding an optimal match can be a painful experience and cumulative negative reactions from the environment can lead to “t” traumas. The Dialogue Toolbox on Goodness-of-Fit for the gifted is research and practice-based and is a tool intended for exploring, visualizing, overviewing and deepening four important aspects directly linked to (a lack of) goodness-of-fit: internal strengths and weaknesses but also the way in which the environment appears to stimulate or block these;the different domains of development; the experienced goodness-of-fit and “t” trauma. Particpants learn how to use the tool to guide their clients or students toward growth, self-actualization, and wisdom.