Gifted and Talented Children in Movies: Analyzing “Little Man Tate”, “Searching For Bobby Fischer”, “Vitus” and “Gifted”
Abstract
In the current study, films about gifted children were examined from a child development perspective. The portrayal of commonly discussed characteristics of gifted individuals in the literature was analyzed through the lens of clinical experience. This qualitative study aimed to explore how gifted and talented children are represented in films. Content analysis was used as the method of data analysis. The sample was determined through criterion sampling. Based on keyword searches on Google and IMDb, four films meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. The codes derived from these films were grouped into three main categories: professional support-education, family and child. The professional support-education category includes subcategories such as educational models, support for talent areas, and socio-emotional support. The family category includes the family’s interaction with the child and professionals. The child category comprises subcategories of overexcitability, social relationships, and coping strategies. This study offers insights, especially for professionals, into how cinema can serve as a tool for raising public awareness. Accordingly, we present several recommendations to experts—our primary audience—on how these films can be utilized in guidance, counseling, and education.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Services and Systems (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
August 31, 2026
Submission Date
April 28, 2026
Acceptance Date
July 23, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 2