Intelligence Quotient, Emotional Quotient, Creativity Quotient and Other Potential Determinants: A Holistic Approach to Understanding Human Potential and Developing Talents

A special issue of Journal of Intelligence (ISSN 2079-3200). This special issue belongs to the section "Approaches to Improving Intelligence".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 2250

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Special Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Interests: psychology and education of gifted and talented children; curriculum development and evaluation in gifted education; cognition and learning of exceptional children; identification and assessment of gifted students; counselling gifted

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
Interests: creativity and innovation; motivation and self-regulation; gifted education; lifespan development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gifted and talented students—those who excel in intellectual ability, creativity, the arts, leadership, or specific academic fields—may need specialized educational services to reach their full potential (No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, 2002; NAGC, 2002). While high intelligence supports children’s learning and information processing, it is not the only factor in achieving long-term excellence. Recent research has, therefore, emphasized broader models of talent development beyond intelligence alone (Steiner & Carr, 2003).

In today’s complex and fast-evolving world, giftedness is no longer defined solely by intellectual ability (IQ). To truly thrive, gifted individuals must also develop emotional intelligence (EQ) to navigate relationships and self-awareness, as well as creativity (CQ) to adapt, innovate, and lead and other determinants, such as personality, motivation, twice-exceptionalities, etc. This Special Issue explores how integrating IQ, EQ,  CQ, and other determinants can transform potential into excellence, nurturing not only bright minds but rather talented individuals prepared to make meaningful contributions to the world.

This Special Issue invites contributions that explore gifted education from multiple perspectives:

  • Identification and assessment of gifted learners;
  • Cognitive characteristics and unique adaptations;
  • Emotional traits and guidance;
  • Cultural diversity and cross-cultural comparisons;
  • Educational placement and program design;
  • Longitudinal and follow-up studies;
  • Creativity and talent development;
  • Inclusive and warm learning environment;
  • Revealing hidden potentials of diverse populations;
  • Pre-service and in-service teacher education.

We especially welcome empirical research that offers instructional or counseling insights and advances best practices for supporting the optimal development of gifted and talented students. Through this collection, we will foster dialogue between scholars and practitioners and share effective models that empower gifted learners to thrive. We look forward to receiving your submissions and working together in advancing the field of gifted education and talent development.

References:

  1. No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, 2002. Available Online: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED556108.pdf.
  2. Steiner, H.H.; Carr, M. Cognitive Development in Gifted Children: Toward a More Precise Understanding of Emerging Differences in Intelligence. Educ. Psychol. Rev. , 2003, 15, 215–246.

Prof. Dr. Ching-Chih Kuo
Dr. Anna Na Na Hui
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • giftedness
  • intelligence
  • emotion
  • creativity
  • excellence

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1101 KB  
Article
Beyond IQ: Systemic Resources in STEM Achievement
by Albert Ziegler, Sonja Bayer and Heidrun Stoeger
J. Intell. 2026, 14(3), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence14030045 - 11 Mar 2026
Viewed by 696
Abstract
There is a growing consensus that we must look beyond IQ to understand the mechanisms of talent development. Grounded in the Actiotope Model of Giftedness, this study adopts a resource-based approach and examines the incremental and interactive contributions of educational and learning capital [...] Read more.
There is a growing consensus that we must look beyond IQ to understand the mechanisms of talent development. Grounded in the Actiotope Model of Giftedness, this study adopts a resource-based approach and examines the incremental and interactive contributions of educational and learning capital to STEM achievement beyond IQ. Data were collected from 318 German secondary school students (grades 6–10; Mage = 12.08; 50.3% male) using domain-specific measures of educational and learning capital, a nonverbal matrix intelligence test, and STEM grades. Robust regression and mediation analyses showed that learning capital significantly predicted STEM achievement beyond general intelligence, whereas educational capital exerted no direct effect. Instead, the relationship between educational capital and achievement was fully mediated by learning capital. Moreover, the interaction term of educational and learning capital predicted achievement. A further interaction indicated that the positive effect of learning capital on STEM achievement was stronger for students with higher intelligence, consistent with an intelligence utilization (Matthew) effect. These findings support a systemic interpretation of achievement in which intelligence reflects prior resource utilization and functions as a catalyst, while current learning resources constitute the proximal determinants of STEM performance. Full article
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16 pages, 770 KB  
Article
Exploring the Impacts of Meaning in Life, Character Strengths, and Social Connectedness on Affect and Achievement in Gifted Students
by Paul Shing-fong Chan, Mantak Yuen and Jiahong Zhang
J. Intell. 2026, 14(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence14010007 - 4 Jan 2026
Viewed by 971
Abstract
Understanding the factors that promote positive affect and achievement in gifted students is essential for supporting their holistic development and success. This study aimed to explore the relationship among meaning in life (presence and search), character strengths (creativity, perseverance, social intelligence), social connectedness, [...] Read more.
Understanding the factors that promote positive affect and achievement in gifted students is essential for supporting their holistic development and success. This study aimed to explore the relationship among meaning in life (presence and search), character strengths (creativity, perseverance, social intelligence), social connectedness, positive/negative affect, and perceived academic achievement among gifted students in Hong Kong, China. A total of 348 gifted students participated in this study, comprising 196 males and 152 females, aged 10 to 18 years. The students completed a cross-sectional online survey in August and September 2024. Mediation analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling with bootstrapping to estimate indirect effects. The results indicated significant indirect effects of meaning in life (presence and search) and character strengths (creativity, perseverance, social intelligence) on positive affect (β = 0.15 to 0.32, p < 0.05) and negative affect (β = −0.15 to −0.26, p < 0.05) via social connectedness, with small-to-moderate effect sizes. Additionally, significant indirect effects were observed for meaning in life and character strengths on perceived academic achievement via social connectedness (β = 0.13 to 0.20, p < 0.05), with small-to-moderate effect sizes. This research highlights the significant role of character strengths, meaning in life, and social connectedness in enhancing positive affect and perceived academic achievement, and reducing negative affect among gifted students. Full article
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