Review by Booklist Review
Why are highly intelligent people capable of making really terrible mistakes or being duped by hoaxes? And then insisting on the correctness of their thinking, despite significant evidence to the contrary? Robson, a journalist who concentrates on neuroscience and psychology, believes these people are ensnared in an intelligence trap: flawed mental habits that can increase the likelihood of screwing up. In this entertaining and highly readable account, Robson explores topics ranging from how various societies measure intelligence to the differences between being smart and being able to apply common sense, to how psychological ploys can skew intellectual perception. Along the way, he cites several accessible examples, invites readers to participate in thinking puzzles, and warns of the danger of confusing intuitive gut reactions with stomach flu. His ultimate goal is to help readers break away from ingrained mental practices and think more wisely, ""by wielding our minds with insight, precision, and humility."" Chapter notes and ""Taxonomies of Stupidity and Wisdom"" support his arguments, giving readers plenty to think about.--Kathleen McBroom Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Science journalist and debut author Robson builds his entertaining and highly readable pop-psychology study on the perhaps dubious expectation that readers will still assume "intelligence is synonymous with good thinking" and associate good decision-making with prestigious jobs and education. Despite this relatively weak foundation, Robson exceeds expectations in his look at the pitfalls of individual and institutional intelligence, collecting a number of fascinating case studies, among them how Arthur Conan Doyle fell prey to spiritualist hoaxers and how a dysfunctional corporate culture prevented Nokia from taking the edge in the early days of smartphone development. Persuasively arguing that "general intelligence is a crucial ingredient to good thinking-but it needs many other complementary traits to truly flourish," Robson effectively summarizes the established and emerging bodies of research that support his argument, starting with the pioneering IQ research of Lewis Terman in the early 20th century, and going on to the more recent field of "evidence-based wisdom," dating back to the 1970s. Occasionally, the writing veers into self-help territory, with briefs for the benefit of traits such as intellectual humility, which feels discordant with Robson's otherwise narrative work. However, he strikes the right balance between illustrative vignettes and accessible translations of complex research, delivering a smart look at intellect and its shortcomings. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Using a wealth of research and case studies, Robson (former editor, New Scientist and BBC Future) demonstrates how having high intelligence is no guarantee of making sound decisions. The author goes on to detail how components such as motivated reasoning, bias blind spots, and earned dogmatism can lead to flaws in thinking. Robson offers a toolkit for developing skills to overcome these deficiencies, which includes moral algebra, self-reflection, and the ability to recognize lies and information. As a bonus, he illustrates how acquiring evidence-based wisdom improves memory. VERDICT This fascinating read provides solutions for combating misinformation that are particularly helpful in today's political climate.
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