Thinking Styles

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.

Robert J. Sternberg (Author)

9780521657136, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 March 1999

196 pages
23 x 15.3 x 1.7 cm, 0.31 kg

"In this stimulating and thought-provoking book, one of today's best-known psychologists provides a fascinating discussion of the many different ways people think and work today." Library and Information Science Annual

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.

Part I. The Nature of Thinking Styles: 1. What are thinking styles and why do we need them?
2. Functions of mental self-government
3. Forms of mental self-government
Part II. The Theory of Mental Self-government: 4. Levels, scope, and leanings of mental self-government
5. Principles of styles of thinking
6. The development of thinking styles
7. Thinking styles in the classroom: what have we learned?
Part III. Thinking Styles in Home, School, and Society: 8. A capsule history of theory and research on styles
9. Why a theory of mental self-government?

Subject Areas: Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR]