Thinking Styles [Paperback]

Sternberg presents a theory of thinking styles that aims to explain why aptitude tests, school grades, and classroom performance often fail to identify real ability.As Robert J. Sternberg writes, A style is a way of thinking. It is not an ability, but rather a preferred way of using the abilities one has. Thinking Styles offers a complete theory of how different people think and learn. Combining personal anecdote with scientific study, Dr. Sternberg examines the variety of ways in which people develop and use their talents, and he argues that academic and professional criteria of ability often confuse differences in thinking styles with differences in intelligence.As Robert J. Sternberg writes, A style is a way of thinking. It is not an ability, but rather a preferred way of using the abilities one has. Thinking Styles offers a complete theory of how different people think and learn. Combining personal anecdote with scientific study, Dr. Sternberg examines the variety of ways in which people develop and use their talents, and he argues that academic and professional criteria of ability often confuse differences in thinking styles with differences in intelligence.In our society, the recognition of talent depends largely on idealized and entrenched perceptions of academic achievement and job performance. In Thinking Styles, psychologist Robert Sternberg argues that ability often goes unappreciated and uncultivated not because of lack of talent, but because of conflicting styles of thinking and learning. Using a variety of examples that range from scientific studies to personal anecdotes, Dr. Sternberg presents a theory of thinking styles that aims to explain why aptitude tests, school grades, and classroom performance often fail to identify real ability. He believes that criteria for intelligence in both school and the workplace are unfortunately based on the ability to conform rather than to learn. He takes this theory a step farther by stating that achievemelS×