This is a guide book for the field of studies on talent development and human excellence. It reviews the existing literature on the topic and helps map out a taxonomy of research with detailed description of purposes and methods of specific kinds of research on the topic and how each of them contributes to the larger scheme of understanding, identifying, and promoting talent development and human excellence for the vitality of society as well as the fulfillment of individuals. It fits with the new trend of developmental science that promotes use-inspired research and seeks a deep understanding of developmental diversity and aims to promote positive development, including human excellence. It is intended to guide researchers and graduate students in this emerging field of studies from a broad developmental science perspective.

David Yun Dai, Ph.D., is Professor of Educational Psychology and Methodology at University at Albany, State University of New York. His research interests encompass giftedness, talent, and creativity. He has published 11 books and over 130 journal articles, book chapters, and other articles on general and educational psychology, gifted education, talent development, and creativity.

Yukang Xue, M.S., is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology at University at Albany, State University of New York. His research is focused on creativity behavior and cyber behavior. Additionally, he conducts research related to methodologies and statistical analyses.

 Qi Sun, M.S., is a Ph.D. candidate of Educational Psychology and Methodology at University at Albany, State University of New York. Her research interests encompass creativity, talent development, language learning, and digital technology usage. She has published several articles and authored book chapter both in China and the United States.

Chapter 1. Introduction: Talent Development as a Central Issue in the 21st Century.- Chapter 2. Exiting Theories and Models of Talent Development: Implicit and Explicit.- Chapter 3. The Conceptual Framework Guiding Research on Talent Development.- Chapter 4. A Taxonomy of TD issues and How They Form a Conceptual Wheel.- Chapter 5. Foundational Research: Definition, Classification, and Possible Etiologies. Chapter 6. Differential Learning and Development as the Basis for TD.- Chapter 7. Intrapersonal and Psychosocial Processes, Changes, and Transitions.- Chapter 8. Developing Circumscribed, Refined Prediction Models.- Chapter 9. The Foundation and Technology of Talent Identification.- Chapter 10. The Intervention System as an Integral Part of Talent Development.- Chapter 11. Current State of Research and Future Directions.- Chapter 12. Methodological Issues in TD Research.- Chapter 13. Conclusion: TD Research as an Interdisciplinary Field for the 21st Century.