Approaches to giftedness and creativity in Slavic countries

Abstract

The paper deals with various conceptions of giftedness and creativity developed in psycho-pedagogical theoretical and research framework of Slavic countries, mainly Russia. Specific characteristics of such theories are discussed, testifying to a particular thinking paradigm - holistic, systemic contextual/cultural approach to understanding the formation and development of personality and its potential - giftedness and creativity. Special emphasis on unstructured situations, the role of emotions and intuition together with considerable contribution of capability, knowledge and meta-cognitive processes, reveals Slavic orientation towards an irrational component in understanding the essence of a creative act. Emphasis on the cultural-historic developmental context, manifested in an aptitude development through the interaction of bio-psychological resources and a social environment, represents an expression of a collectivistic-oriented human studies and contextual approach, even in the field of psycho-physiological research. The domination of qualitative methodology oriented towards understanding and encouraging giftedness and creativity through experimentation in natural sciences (as opposed to the identification of individual differences through quantitative, statistic-based testing methodology applied in the West), indicates a tendency towards theory and systemic analyses of elements’ interaction processes. Cultural and spiritual foundations of the scientific paradigm in Slavic countries will be discussed in this journal one some other occasion.

Keywords

• giftedness or talent
• creativity
• Slavic tradition and education