Final answer:
A main criterion for giftedness is a high general intelligence, indicated by an IQ score of 130 or higher. This standard is based on the bell curve distribution where a score of 130 or above falls within approximately the top 2% of the population. Lewis Terman's longitudinal study debunked myths regarding highly intelligent individuals, revealing they were well-adjusted and successful.
Step-by-step explanation:
A main criterion for giftedness is a high general intelligence, which is proven by an IQ score of 130 or greater. The definition of intelligence and how it is measured has been a topic of much debate over the years, but it is generally agreed that an IQ score of 130 or above indicates a higher aptitude for learning. This is based on the standard deviation system where the majority of people fall within a score range of 85 to 115—the average IQ score being 100.
Lewis Terman's study in 1921 focused on children with IQs over 135 and found that they became well-educated, successful adults, challenging earlier misconceptions that people of high intelligence were maladjusted. Moreover, Terman's research showed that these individuals were well-adjusted and defied the stereotype that highly intelligent people were physically weaker. Membership in Mensa, an organization dedicated to fostering intelligence, requires an IQ in the top 2% of the population, reinforcing the value placed on high IQ as a measure of intellectual capability.
The use of IQ tests is still debated, particularly around their validity and what they should measure, but they continue to be a prominent tool in assessing intellectual abilities and identifying gifted individuals.