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3.7.5 Mapping common ground: Relationships between giftedness, introversion, and heightened sensitivities

Prior research suggests a disproportionate level of introversion and heightened sensitivities among the gifted population. Curiously, one main variable found to contribute to introversion is heightened sensitivity of the central nervous system. The current study hypothesised that a positive relationship between giftedness and introversion could be explained by these heightened sensitivities. 674 participants completed a personality scale and the Highly Sensitive Person Scale. Structural equation modelling showed a positive relationship between giftedness and introversion, once controlling for openness-to-experience. This relationship was mediated by two sensitivity sub-factors. Implications for working with gifted individuals and areas for further research will be discussed.

Author(s):

Jodie Valpied
jvalpied@unimelb.edu.au
The University of Melbourne
Australia

Jodie Valpied is a researcher in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne. She currently works in the Department of General Practice at the University, and is nearing completion of her PhD through the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. Formerly a teacher, Jodie specialises in introversion, heightened sensitivities and research on sensitive topics. She has experience in both quantitative and qualitative research, and enjoys applying statistical knowledge to complex issues in practical ways. In her spare time, Jodie can be found in the garden or walking her highly sensitive Italian Greyhound along the river.