Forced Choice Dilemma in Gifted Students: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Forced choice dilemma (FCD) is defined as a conflict between gifted students' urges to strive for social acceptance and to pursue higher levels of achievement. In this narrative review, we presented a groundwork for forced choice dilemma and argued that this dilemma is mostly a cultural construct. The forced choice dilemma experienced by gifted students has not been widely recognized in the literature. Therefore, we proposed several strategies to address this complex issue. The existing literature has few studies that investigate the frequency, prevalence, and types of student abilities in which the forced choice dilemma is observed in different genders. The lack of research on this topic emphasizes that the forced choice dilemma's gender differences, prevalence, and situations in which it occurs need broader research. Such studies can aid educators and mental health professionals in offering better support to gifted students in their academic and social growth, customizing interventions and programs to individual requirements and contexts.

Keywords

• forced choice dilemma
• giftedness
• stigma of giftedness paradigm
• big fish in the little pond effect
• social comparison theory
• peer relationship.

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