The present study aimed to enhance understanding of the connection between empathy and openness to experience. While research has explored this connection previously, this study also aims to apply...Show moreThe present study aimed to enhance understanding of the connection between empathy and openness to experience. While research has explored this connection previously, this study also aims to apply it to the gifted and pre-adolescent population. Giftedness is a complex topic with a wide array of definitions and an even wider array of implications. In the current study, children between the ages of 9-12, in either non-gifted or gifted schools all over the Netherlands, were administered the subscale of openness to experience from the Big Five Questionnaire for Children and the subscales of Empathic Concern and Perspective Taking from the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. For the first hypothesis, testing whether openness to experience can be predicted from empathy, results showed that students (N = 95) showed higher scores in openness to experience if they were more empathetic. The overall Interpersonal Reactivity Index score was the best predictor, closely followed by the Perspective Taking scores. Results for the second hypothesis, that the previous prediction would be more significant for gifted students (N = 44) than non-gifted students (N = 51), showed no statistical evidence, but hinted towards a significant trend. It was concluded that individuals higher in empathy might also show more openness to experience. Additionally, the study highlights the need for improvement in the current educational systems by mentioning current options and their practical limitations in relation to gifted and non-gifted individuals.Show less