Abstract
There has been a good deal of conjecture about the relationship between giftedness and juvenile delinquency among adolescents. Many unfounded claims have been sensationalized and much of the research has been ignored. There continues to be contradictory evidence in the literature as to this relationship, but clearly there is no cause and effect determined. There are however some important indicators of which professionals in gifted education should be aware. This article attempts to put the issue of giftedness and delinquency in perspective based on a review of pertinent literature and a two year study of 268 delinquents in a suburban court system. Two juxtaposed theories evolve from this review about the likelihood of gifted youth to engage in inappropriate behavior and become delinquent.

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