Inservice and Preservice Teachers' Attitudes Toward the Academically Brilliant

Abstract

Attitudes toward the academically gifted were examined in 83 experienced teachers and 100 juniors and seniors enrolled in a teacher education program. Using a questionnaire developed by Tannenbaum (1962), the characteristics of athleticism, diligence, and academic brilliance were examined as they affected perceptions of hypothetical high school students. Attitude correlates were defined as scholastic achievement, sex, and previous teaching experience of the rater. Results indicated that experienced teachers and future teachers, like the high school students in Tannenbaum's study, viewed athleticism as the critical determinant of a person's likability.