Global Perspectives on Tall Poppy Syndrome Connie Phelps

Global Perspectives on Tall Poppy Syndrome Connie Phelps & Bailey Carter WCGTC Sydney, Australia July 23, 2017

Dating to ancient Rome and persisting through the centuries, the “Tall Poppy Syndrome” occurs when persons of elevated rank encounter aggression from peers with resentful attitudes toward their high status. In a “zero-sum game, ” the rising of one person must achieve balance by causing another to fall. Similarly, gifted children may experience an “underdog” status when less capable peers resent or envy their giftedness and talents. This session addresses affective needs, survival strategies, and proactive advocacy related to the Tall Poppy Syndrome through global perspectives gained by grown-up gifted children, their parents, and seasoned educators of the gifted.

Affective Needs • Intellect and Emotion • Perfectionism • Peer Relationships • Global Awareness

Survival Strategies • Creative Therapies • Safe Harbors • Building Resiliency

Advocacy • Awareness • Allies • Action

RESOURCES Crushing Tall Poppies (Website) • Trépanier, C. (2013, March 2). Crushing tall poppies. Retrieved from http: //crushingtallpoppies. com Davidson Institute (Article) • Gross, M. (1999). Small poppies: Highly gifted children in the early years. Roeper Review, 2(3). Retrieved from http: //www. davidsongifted. org/Search-Database/entry/A 10124

CONTACT INFORMATION Connie Phelps, Ed. D Gifted Program Director & Professor Emporia State University cphelps@emporia. edu Bailey Carter, BA Theatre/Psychology Emporia State University baileybcarter@gmail. com