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The Role of the Family in Talent Development

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Handbook of Giftedness in Children

The family has very powerful effects on the developing child, impacting attitudes, beliefs, opportunities, habits, and personality traits. The family plays a critical role in determining who a child becomes and what he or she accomplishes. For a child with talent, the influence of the family can be the determining factor as to whether the ability is developed to a high level or not. We all know individuals who are very accomplished and successful despite less than advantageous family circumstances or even truly awful ones and similarly, individuals with seemingly loving and supportive families who do not live up to their potential. In this chapter, we will explore some of the reasons why these different outcomes occur with a focus on the psychological aspects of family functioning as they affect talent development.

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Authors
  1. Paula Olszewski-Kubilius
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA

    Steven I. Pfeiffer

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Olszewski-Kubilius, P. (2008). The Role of the Family in Talent Development. In: Pfeiffer, S.I. (eds) Handbook of Giftedness in Children. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-74401-8_4

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