Women, Gifted

Reis's Theory of Women's Talent Development

In research with gifted women who achieved eminence, Reis drew on research about this topic spanning two decades of work, proposing a new theory of women's talent development that suggested that the cumulative and contextual experiences of women of accomplishment differ from those of men in intellectual, moral, personal, and work perceptions. In studying the life experiences of an award-winning children's writer, for example, Reis found the writer wove memories of her Hispanic heritage and parenting into her literary work, incorporating the insights and creative experiences she had gained as a mother and through reflections on her own childhood. Other gifted women in Reis's study of eminent women made careful choices about the development of their talents, achieving at high levels through working steadily and slowly, though acknowledging and sometimes even celebrating the detours that occurred in their lives, such as raising family, helping others, and working in service for the betterment of others at home or in the community. All felt a certain intensity in their lives, characterized by a need and sense of obligation to pursue their talents in an active way. Many compared their own lives with the lives of their contemporaries—other equally talented women who did not attain the same level of eminence, but who appeared to live much calmer, and in some cases, happier lives.

Based on this research with gifted women, Reis proposed the following definition about the process of talent development in women:

Feminine talent development occurs when women with high intellectual, creative, artistic or leadership ability or potential achieve at high levels in an area they choose and when they make contributions that they consider meaningful to society; these contributions are enhanced when the women develop personally satisfying relationships and pursue what they believe to be significant and consequential work. (2005, p. 222).

Remarkable Women by Arnold, Noble, and Subotnik

Arnold, Noble, and Subotnik suggest that talent development in women may differ from that of men because of differences in psychological needs and drives, in issues faced at home and at work, and in access to resources that encourage the development of gifts. Arnold, Noble, and Subotnik's model of talent development defines gifted behavior differently than traditional models do. Most striking is their inclusion of the personal sphere as an outlet for gifted behavior. They note, for example, that there is talent in nurturing children well, building strong primary relationships, and making a home—particularly for the many women worldwide whose pasts are marked by dysfunction, lack of health services and other obstacles. In addition to the personal sphere, Arnold, Noble, and Subotnik recognize giftedness more traditionally, stating, “The widest sphere of influence lies in the creation of ideas or products that change the course of a [Page 945]domain or a social arena” (p. 435). Success in the public sphere is characterized as “leadership” or “eminence.” The model also heavily stresses context, however, suggesting that what qualifies as gifted behavior depends on a woman's individual background. Women with many opportunities and fewer obstacles may be seen as gifted if they become eminent for outstanding contributions to a field, whereas an Indian woman of low caste may be seen as demonstrating gifted behavior if she overcomes obstacles to receive a degree or obtain a career.

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