Studying Ordinary Events in a Field Devoted to the Extraordinary

Although a general understanding of the phenomenon of giftedness is evident in the literature, missing is a body of information on the thoughts and actions of gifted persons in those situations that we suspect influence the emergence of extraordinary accomplishment. In this article I propose a change in direction for the study of the advanced development. Grounded in the theoretically based research of Feldman and Vygotsky, I argue that we focus on the ordinary parts of life that contribute to extraordinary achievements. People should be studied within a field over a period of time. We have tended to look at characteristics of persons and products and, less so, on the process that yielded extraordinary accomplishment. Whatever methodologies we use, they must allow us to look at the individual and at the situation in detail. Suggestions for conducting such studies are offered.