Robert J. Sternberg - Successful Intelligence

Summary

Bob Sternberg, a psychologist and educator, presents his theory of *successful intelligence*, which emphasizes the ability to achieve life success by integrating creativity, analytical skills, and practical wisdom. He advocates for diverse teaching strategies that cater to different student strengths, and for testing methods that reflect these varied abilities. Sternberg also highlights the influence of cultural backgrounds on students' conceptions of intelligence, arguing that broader measures of intelligence can improve academic outcomes and reduce ethnic disparities. His research calls for rethinking education and admissions to account for creative and practical intelligence alongside traditional academic measures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Successful intelligence is the ability to figure out what you want to do with your life and succeed, considering the environment you live in.
• 😀 Unlike IQ, which focuses mainly on analytical skills and knowledge acquisition, successful intelligence includes creativity, analytical thinking, and practical problem-solving.
• 😀 Teaching students based on their strengths (creative, analytical, or practical) and helping them address their weaknesses can improve their academic performance.
• 😀 Educators should vary their teaching methods to engage students in different ways, such as asking students to analyze, create, or apply concepts in real-world scenarios.
• 😀 Testing should also reflect different ways of thinking—analytical, creative, and practical—to give a comprehensive measure of students' abilities.
• 😀 Children from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds may have distinct strengths and concepts of intelligence, which should be considered in educational practices.
• 😀 In a study, Caucasian and Asian-American children performed better in school because their parents' conceptions of intelligence aligned with their teachers' views.
• 😀 In contrast, Latino children did not perform as well in school, as their parents emphasized social skills, which differed from their teachers' focus on cognitive skills.
• 😀 Certain communities, such as Eskimo children, may have valuable skills not recognized by traditional IQ tests or school assessments, such as navigation or survival skills.
• 😀 Broadening the concept of intelligence to include creative and practical abilities, as well as wisdom, in college admissions can improve predictions of student success and reduce ethnic group differences.

Q & A

What is the theory of successful intelligence, and how does it differ from IQ?

The theory of successful intelligence focuses on an individual's ability to figure out what they want to do with their life and succeed in doing it, taking into account the constraints of their environment. It differs from IQ because IQ primarily measures analytical skills and knowledge acquisition, while successful intelligence includes creative, analytical, and practical abilities necessary for life success beyond just academic performance.

How does successful intelligence affect the way we should teach students?

Successful intelligence suggests that teaching should accommodate different types of abilities, such as creativity, analytical thinking, and practical skills. By varying teaching methods, educators can reach students with diverse strengths and help them improve across various subject areas. This approach fosters better student achievement.

What is the importance of teaching in different ways for different types of students?

Teaching in different ways ensures that all students are engaged and can benefit from instruction, whether they are more creative, analytical, or practical. This method addresses their strengths and helps to compensate for their weaknesses, leading to better academic performance.

Can you give examples of how history can be taught using the theory of successful intelligence?

In history, a teacher could ask students to memorize historical facts, analyze events like the causes of World War II, create alternative scenarios (e.g., what if Germany had won World War II), or apply practical lessons from history to modern conflicts, such as the lessons of World War II for addressing genocides.

How can assessments be aligned with the theory of successful intelligence?

Assessments should evaluate a range of skills, including creative, analytical, and practical thinking. For example, in language arts, students could be asked to analyze literature, write creatively, or explore practical lessons from a story, ensuring that testing reflects the broad spectrum of intelligence outlined in the theory.

What role do cultural differences play in the theory of successful intelligence?

Cultural differences significantly influence how intelligence is perceived and expressed. The theory highlights that different ethnic or cultural groups may prioritize different types of intelligence, such as cognitive skills versus social skills. Educators should recognize these differences and adapt their teaching methods accordingly to improve student outcomes.

How does matching a teacher's and parent's view of intelligence affect a student's performance?

When a teacher's view of intelligence aligns with the values of a student's parents, particularly regarding cognitive or social skills, the student is more likely to perform better in school. This alignment creates a more supportive and cohesive learning environment for the child.

What did the study on Eskimo children reveal about intelligence?

The study on Eskimo children demonstrated that, while they may perform poorly on conventional IQ tests or academic measures, they possess valuable practical knowledge relevant to their environment, such as navigation in the tundra and survival skills. This shows that traditional intelligence tests often overlook other forms of intelligence.

What benefits were observed when teaching Eskimo children using culturally relevant tools?

When Eskimo children were taught geometric concepts using fish racks, a familiar tool in their environment, they learned better. This approach underscores the importance of teaching methods that are culturally relevant and that tap into students' existing knowledge and experiences.

What impact did incorporating creative and practical thinking have on college admissions?

Incorporating creative, practical, and wisdom-based abilities into the college admissions process improved predictions of academic success, extracurricular involvement, and leadership. It also reduced ethnic group differences, demonstrating that a broader conception of intelligence leads to fairer and more effective selection criteria.