Thinking Styles

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 "achievement" can be a result of the compatability of personal and institutional thinking styles, and "failure" is too often a result of a conflict of thinking styles, rather than a lack of intelligence or aptitude. Dr. Sternberg presents his revolutionary ideas in a way that is accessible to any educated reader. This provocative book suggests a real change in how we measure achievement and will inspire educators, employers, and parents alike. Publisher Description: In Our Society, The Recognition Of Talent Depends Largely On Idealized And Entrenched Perceptions Of Academic Achievement And Job Performance. Thinking Styles Bucks This Trend By Emphasizing The Method Of Our Thought Rather Than Its Content. 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, 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 Learn. He Takes The Theory A Step Further By Stating That 'achievement' Can Be A Result Of The Compatibility Of Personal And Institutional Thinking Styles, And 'failure' Is Too Often The Result Of A Conflict Of Thinking Styles, Rather Than A Lack Of Intelligence Or Aptitude. Sternberg Bases His Theory On Hard Scientific Data, Yet Presents A Work That Remains Highly Accessible. 1. What Are Thinking Styles And Why Do We Need Them? -- 2. Functions Of Thinking Styles: The Legislative, Executive, And Judicial Styles -- 3. Forms Of Thinking Styles: The Monarchic, Hierarchic, Oligarchic, And Anarchic Styles -- 4. Levels, Scope, And Leanings Of Thinking Styles: The Global, Local, Internal, External, Liberal, And Conservative Styles -- 5. The Principles Of Thinking Styles -- 6. The Development Of Thinking Styles -- 7. Thinking Styles In The Classroom: What Have We Learned? -- 8. A Capsule History Of Theory And Research On Styles -- 9. Why A Theory Of Mental Self-government? Robert J. Sternberg. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 161-172) And Index. pt. 1. The nature of thinking styles What are thinking styles and why do we need them? Functions of thinking styles : the legislative, executive, and judicial styles Forms of thinking styles : the monarchic, hierarchic, oligarchic, and anarchic styles Levels, scope, and leanings of thinking styles : the global, local, internal, external, liberal, and conservative styles pt. 2. The principles and development of thinking styles The principles of thinking styles The development of thinking styles pt. 3. Thinking styles in school and in research and theory Thinking styles in the classroom : what have we learned? A capsule history of theory and research on styles Why a theory of mental self-government? These questions are from the self-assessment inventory on the conservative style quiz, one of many quizzes in this book. 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 fully recognize people's talents and achievements. Dr. Sternberg bases his theory on hard scientific data, yet presents a work that is accessible to any educated reader 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. A psychologist offers a theory about the variety of thinking and learning styles used by different people to explain why aptitude tests, grades, and classroom performance often fail to identify the true ability of students and employees. UP.