Talent is arguably the most precious natural resource a society can have. The purpose of this book is to present alternative conceptions of just what giftedness is how it can be measured, and how it can be developed in both children and adults. Conceptions of Giftedness consists of eighteen chapters by distinguished contributors to theory and research. It is divided into six parts. The first, an editorial introduction, offers a 'map of the terrain', and puts the chapters that follow in unified perspective. The second part addresses educationally -based conceptions of giftedness; the third, cognitive-psychological approaches; the fourth, developmental theories; the fifth, domain-specific aspects - mathematics and music. The final part, an integrative concluding chapter, discusses points of overlap and differences among the various positions. Conceptions of Giftedness brings together in one place, for the first time, comprehensive and readable statements of the main contemporary points of view by their leading exponents.