Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Practical Intelligence and Outliers


Extending his “Trouble with Geniuses” concerns, Malcolm Gladwell offers insight about those particular skills that give talented people the extra edge to become outliers. Too often, we assume, Gladwell suggests, that success is based purely on people’s intellect or physical talents. Genetics tend to play vital roles, but they are hardly the sole determining factors.

To describe the differences between a highly intelligent yet underachieving person and a highly intelligent and successful one, Gladwell highlights psychologist Robert Sternberg’s concept “practical intelligence,” which includes “‘knowing what to say to whom, knowing when to say it, and knowing how to say it for maximum effect.’” Practical intelligence is “knowledge that helps you read situations correctly and get what you want. And, critically, it is a kind of intelligence separate from the sort of analytical ability measured by IQ.”

The practical intelligence that Gladwell presents can also be thought of as a kind of “social savvy,” an ability to skillfully negotiate multiple communal and professional environments. Those high IQ folks whom Galdwell mentioned who seemed to squander their talents were actually people who lacked “a community around them that prepared them properly for the world.”

How did you respond to Gladwell’s ideas about the roles of wealth and parenting in the lives of those who are more likely to become socially savvy and/or highly successful?

Or, to take a different concern, in your opinion, what prevents larger numbers of SIUE students, in general, from developing higher degrees of practical intelligence during their time here?

20 comments:

SHANEE' PRYOR said...

I fully agree with Gladwell’s ideas about the roles of wealth and parenting in children’s lives. Wealth among certain individuals who are highly successful is not a product of hard work but inheritance. Although wealth does play a part in success, parenting is a very important factor among those who are socially savvy.

Gladwell’s highlights of psychologist Robert Sternberg’s “practical intelligence” indicates the proper way most parents should raise their children. I believe that if children are not raise to speak up and ask questions, they’ll feel inferior to authority figures. So, “practical intelligence” will have an effect on an individual’s success.

Catalina Trevino said...

I also agree with Gladwell's ideas about the roles of wealth and parenting in children's lives and how they can be a factor for their success. As a child, I always attempted to play in sports but ended up quitting every time. My single mother did not have the time to drive me to practices, games, or support me in any way. Because of this, I figured there was no point and would feel discouraged and quit soon. I believe if your parents do not encourage you and push you to be involved, you have a higher chance or not participating in activities.

Kim Lee said...

I agree with what Shanee' said. The way someone is raised greatly impacts his or her success. Being raised in a wealthier family often raises expectations for a child. They are taught from an early age how to act and talk the way their parents did to become successful. I believe people are reflections of their families so this would have a major impact on an individual's success.

Unknown said...

My thoughts are that maybe not all students have an environment that fosters a higher degree of practical intelligence. Some students choose to immerse themselves in their particular field of interest through professors, fellow students, and organizations. They are able to take advantage of these resources and develop more practical intelligence.

Some students may choose not to immerse themselves because they have other interests, may not appreciate the value of having those resources, or may not know the best way to get involved. Not taking advantage of these resources would be a disadvantage, regardless of how much a person knew in their particular field.

Cristina Salabao said...

I tend to agree. The more affluent families have something that is less common in poorer families: ambition. They also happen to have the means to carry this ambition past a dream into reality. They have the confidence that social security and status provide that makes them confident that what they say and their ideas have worth, unlike families that are continuously beaten down by the society they live in.

I think that a good portion of us come to college aspiring to be something more, someone brilliant who breaks into the field of study we choose and changes history forever. Between the quizzes and homework and friends and family and jobs and relationships, that dream becomes lost, lessens or becomes not quite so ambitious. There is nothing wrong with that... There wouldn't be outliers without a normal, unremarkable set either =]

Anonymous said...

John Silerio

There is always an exception to the rule. Just because someone does not have a certain route to follow or resources at their disposal does not negate them from becoming successful.

Some of the richest/wealthiest people in the world try to do everything they can to help maintain the family legacy by having their children maintain and gain as much "knowledge" as they can but it some people just do not have the drive it takes for that practical intelligence. On the other end of the spectrum there are those who have been abandoned by their true family and it inspires them to become someone and make an impact in the lives of others with the practical intelligence they gain through unpractical ways.

Success can not be nurtured, it is in the nature of the person whatever the background...

Anonymous said...

Gladwell's idea's about the contrasting conditions that determine, "social savvy", is in my opinion a very accurate one. In society we only see that handful, that have had similar lifestyles as Chris, but despite the odds made it. But, he touches on only one aspect of lower income homes. I mean the example of katie's special talents, being just apart of her character is one sided. While lower income homes may not be able to physically support as much as middle class. It could be because although their child's talent is phenomenal, they could be afraid to get their child's hopes high for what may or may not make them successful.
The question about SIUE students go hand and hand in this. While parents want to support whatever dream their child has, above all they want them to have a better life then themselves. They don't want you take chances, because sometimes chances get's you break, but most of time in lower income homes, it doesn't. So most of time students don't take chances when it comes to their education, because a chance might get you a job, but its a higher chance of it not. So you go with the stable major, something that will give a concrete job. - Cassaundra Sampson

christiana puckett said...

I agree to disagree with Glad wells ideas about the roles of wealth and parenting in children's lives. I agree that parenting styles is very influential in the child's life and future success. If the parents hand them everything on a silver platter then that is how they are going to think the world works. For example i watch sweet sixteen that come on MTV and these are wealthy families. They give their kids anything they want even if they curse them out. Even if they buy them a expensive car if it is not the car they wanted they get mad.
I come from a middle class family raised by my grandma and she couldn't give us everything we wanted and we had to do many things by ourselves because she was always so sick. She of course did what parenting she could but i was always my OWN motivation.
I guess it depends on the people because although wealth is a factor in some families that could be a good thing or bad in the child's bringing up.
Parenting is important but it is the child who is either going to run with the wisdom their parents give them or rebel against them.

Janine Villard said...

I strongly believe in a person’s free agency and personal choice. There will always be outside factors to influence or help persuade a person to make a certain choice over another. These factors can be wealth or lack thereof, parental influence, education, peers, the institution, etc. However, when all is said and done, it is up to that one single person to make the choice. No one else can physically “push his or her hand.” Therefore, I believe that a person’s parents and social class/wealth can influence many of the choices that people make. However, that influence does not make the choices itself. Personal choice and self-motivation are big factors that determine whether or not someone strives to be successful or do well in school. For many people, this can be harder to achieve. Some people will never be able to achieve it because outside factors prevent it from happening so strongly. But I would be very hesitant to blame that lack of achievement on wealth or parents. Wealth, parents, peers, and class can and do influence how a person sees him or her self and the choices they decide to make. Those choices, however, are theirs and theirs alone to make. Some people may never be able to achieve success, wealth, and intelligence; however, unless they make the choice to at least try and let nothing hold them back, then they will never know if it could have been done.

Anonymous said...

I think money prevents students from developing higher degrees. If a student has a full scholarship, they are more willing to take more classes, or to take risks with their classes. They can change, add, or drop classes without much concern. However, if a student has to pay for school on their own, they may not take as many classes or risks. They might just settle for what they can get, in order to graduate with something. I think that the students who dont have to worry so much about money are going to be more likely to acquire higher degrees.

-jes

Morris Pearson, Jr. said...

I believe in Galdwell's idea that parenting and wealth are big factors in children's lives. Children at a young age tend to mimic the actions of their parents and usually try to achieve just as much or even more than what their parents achieved. So parenting is a huge role in a childs' success. Usually parents who are wealthy had to work hard to get where they are at. So as a product of their success they are going to give their child every opportunity to succeed. So the wealthy parent, using the resources they have attained will have their child in a better position to succeed than a child in a poorer family.

E. Smith said...

In certain ways, I agree with what Gladwell says. I feel as though kids that were raised from a wealthy family are more likely to do better in life. This is not only due to the fact that they may have more opportunities in life but also because their "role models" had a successful life as well. They were raised to be the best that they could be and taught how to act and behave from birth.

Adriana Romo said...

In my opinion, many students at SIUE are prevented from developing higher degrees because of the pressure they come across. For example, there are many majors offered in our school that are very competitive and really hard to get into. When first arriving to SIUE, many students are very optimistic and determined in becoming very successful in the profession they choose. Unfortunately, teachers as well as other students discourage many students by exagerating the difficulty and how impossible it is to enter these fields.
Because of all this, many students get discouraged and start believing that they are not smart enough and decide to change to an "easier" major. How can students be motivated to do their best and be successful in developing higher degrees if they are put down? -Adriana Romo

Tyann Senaldi said...

I agree with Gladwell that wealth can greatly change a student's life in the concept of "practical intellegence." Although that is true, I feel that a parent of a lower status can teach their child differently and visa verca, although this is not the norm. I feel like fear of failure may keep some students from gaining this "practical intellegence" and experience. I know for myself, in the past, I have not attempted sports etc, in fear of failure. My parent's worked full time and didn't have time to take me to practice, so by the time I was old enough to find a ride myself, I was way behind the learning curve. Fear of failure can prevent anyone from doing a number of things, including speaking out in class and asking questions, not unlike in doctors offices or with other adult officials when we were younger.

Precious Wu said...

I think that Gladwell's explanation of practical intelligence rooting at how how children are raised had some really good points.

I think that parenting does have a great deal to do with this. Reading about how the middle-class parenting style of fostering their child's talents, opinions, and skills as opposed to the poorer families style of taking care of their children but letting them grow and develop on their own has both its pros and cons. I do see how the middle-class parenting style may have an advantage of a child gaining practical intelligence.

Coming from the poorer families parenting style myself, I do believe that it does have advantages. I have always felt like that I was more independent at many things, while my friends were more dependent on their parents. More creativity and resourcefulness probably came from this upbringing. But overall, I think an environment that cultivates a child's skills and knowledge is something that I would like to do for my own children, without crossing the line of spoiling them rotten--which would definitely backfire with their growth of practical intelligence.

Anonymous said...

I think communication prevents students from developing higher degrees of practical intelligence. When a student is afraid to speak to someone of authority such as an advisor or professor, it is almost impossible for them to expand their knowledge. They think that maybe they can figure things out on their own, and do not seek the help or extra information that could help them acquire a better practical intelligence.
-jes swim

N.L.W. said...

Nia Williams.

How did you respond to Gladwell’s ideas about the roles of wealth and parenting in the lives of those who are more likely to become socially savvy and/or highly successful?

I don't disagree with Gladwell's ideas about the parenting roles. But I don't believe that he can just generalize the ways parents of different social classes are based off of the few families that he studied because everyone isn't the same. Everyone's one way of parenting is different and i don't think that it has much to do with what financial level/class they're in. Yes, parents with an upper hand in society can help their children become more successful faster but "poor" parents can motivate and support their kids to do well. I believe being social savvvvyyyy and successful depends on the person and their personality. Some people just might be too shy to say what they want, when they want it and overall SPEAK UP! And others with outgoing personalities get where they want to be easily because they "know" what to do and have "Practical intelligence."
For example, Today I had dance rehearsal for a play coming up and practice lasted for about 4hours, leaving me to get out at 11pm. Right away i get a bus schedule because I don't have a car and head to the library to study in the meantime. Suddenly, I realized how late it was and remember that the bus stops running after a certain time. I began to panic wondering how i was going to get home until I saw a girl that I was familiar with. I've never really spoken to her, but have had a class with her. Right away, I stopped her and asked where she was headed and if she could give me a ride once i found out she was driving. Before I knew it, I was on my way home and didn't have to worry about being stuck on campus.!. If I hadn't of said anything, I would have been a lost cause. I used to be shy when I was in Junior high, but I’ve grown out of that stage now that I'm in college. In my situation, practical intelligence worked for me!

Anonymous said...

Mikhail Williams
I definitely see Gladwell's point. His idea of Practical Intelligence is one that I have always tried to apply to my life. For a long time I haven't been the smartest or the biggest or the fastest genetically, but I feel that I know how to learn quick, listen and get along with people. By forming social relationships and learning from the people I surround myself with I have tried to improve myself every day.

When I look at people who lack a Practical Intelligence what I notice is that they either overthink things, or are selfish. I think people who fail to build a lot of Practical Intelligence do it either because they are so concerned with improving themselves that they ignore the people around them and don't form relationships. It's always good to try to improve yourself, but if you compromise having friends just because you don't succeed I feel that you will be less of a person for it.

Chico Weber said...

Parenting plays a major role in how you are socially and how you will perform academically. Children that weren't raised to ask and learn about the world won't be as motivated to do so in the classroom.

From personal experience wealth also plays a big role in success. I depend greatly on scholarships and grants because otherwise I wouldn't be able to afford college. Thats why why simple things like deadlines can make the difference between whether or not I can still go to school. And its difficult to make a judgement call on a person who needs the money but can't get it because they missed a deadline.

Christine Vu said...

The function of Gladwell's ideas and how it impacts an individual's mindset in how to be successful can be one of two ways. I believe that from an earlier standpoint, with individuals being cognizant of how their parents got successful is ingrained in our mind. However, as we mature into the teenage years, this information may be lost, and could result in the young adult being spoiled, concluding in negative use of the money. On the other side, if parenting is continued throughout the life of the child, there may be success in the child's career path.