DEALING WITH PREJUDICE

Gifted people are confronted with many, partially contradictory, clichés and prejudice, such as:

Gifted people

• are arrogant
• are uncool, unfit, boring
• are nerds
• are genius
• sind Genies
• have no social skills
• are emotionally incompetent
• can do anything
• are always good at school

etc.

These presuppositions lead to people not being perceived correctly and/or being met with resentment.

This is why it could be important to predict or observe which prejudice you may be confronted with, so that you can disconfirm them through demeanor, behavior, information and arguments.

Examples:

Arrogance is easily disconfirmed by friendliness, appreciation and admitting mistakes.

All of the above can be disconfirmed through describing effort and difficulties.

The assumption that somebody is a nerd includes the accusation that you are only about good grades and being the best. You can dismantle this assumption by showing happiness for the good results of others and supporting the weak.

Parents are also confronted with prejudice, as they are often reproached for being achievement-oriented and pushing their child in an inappropriate manner, etc.