Attitudes toward the Social Adaptation of Creatively Gifted Children in Russia and the United States

In this article, the author states that, the problem of social adaptation is an object of research in many fields of knowledge, and every science approaches the study of it from its own point of view, leading to a diversity of conceptions. Social adaptation in its most general form is the interaction between an individual or group and the social environment, in the course of which the needs and expectations of the participants are reconciled. And what is most substantive in this definition is that adaptation calls for changing oneself, one's individuality, under the influence of external factors. And as a consequence, anyone who does not conform to the norms and values that are dominant in the culture is considered to be a poorly adapted outsider or even a lunatic. The adaptation can be expressed as a change in other people's attitudes toward the creative abilities of the specific individual, and in the creation of optimal conditions for their development on the part of society. There are a number of approaches to the analysis of this concept, but the most common practice is to single out three types of adaptation: (1) by adapting to circumstances as they are, by blending in to the environment and changing oneself; (2) by transforming the environment; and (3) by withdrawing or getting out of the environment. In this article, the author conducted a cross-cultural survey to explore questions concerning what conceptions about creative individuals and the characteristics of their adaptation are prevalent in today's society. And to analyze public opinion about the characteristics of adaptation of creatively gifted children. (Contains 1 figure.)