Robert Sternberg facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert J. Sternberg
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Sternberg in 2011
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| Born | December 8, 1949 Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Education | Yale University (BA) Stanford University (PhD) |
| Known for | Triarchic theory of intelligence Triangular theory of love Three-process view |
| Awards | James McKeen Cattell Fellow Award (1999) E. L. Thorndike Award (2003) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Cognitive psychology |
| Institutions | Oklahoma State University, Yale University, Tufts University, University of Wyoming, Cornell University |
| Doctoral advisor | Gordon Bower |
Robert J. Sternberg (born December 8, 1949) is an American psychologist. He studies how people think, learn, and solve problems. He is known for his important ideas about intelligence, creativity, and even love. Currently, he is a professor at Cornell University.
Sternberg earned his first degree from Yale University and his PhD from Stanford University. He has made many big contributions to the field of psychology. A survey in 2002 named him one of the most often mentioned psychologists of the 20th century.
Contents
Early Life and Inspiration
Robert Sternberg was born in New Jersey on December 8, 1949. When he was a child, he had a lot of test anxiety. This made it hard for him to do well on tests. He felt that tests did not truly show what he knew or what he could do.
One time, he retook a test in a room with younger students. He felt more relaxed, and his scores went up a lot! This experience made him wonder about how intelligence is measured. It sparked his interest in psychology and led him to create his first intelligence test, called the Test of Mental Ability (STOMA).
Robert Sternberg's Career Journey
Sternberg went to Yale University for college. His parents had not finished high school, so he went to Yale with a scholarship and financial help. Even though he struggled in his first psychology class, he worked hard. He ended up graduating with high honors.
After Yale, Sternberg continued his studies at Stanford University. He earned his PhD in 1975. Soon after, he returned to Yale as a professor. He worked there for 30 years, becoming a very important professor and starting a center for studying abilities and skills.
Later, he moved to Tufts University in 2005 to lead the College of Arts and Sciences. He also worked at Oklahoma State University and was president of the University of Wyoming for a short time in 2013. Since then, he has been a professor at Cornell University.
Key Ideas About Intelligence
Many people think of intelligence as just being "book smart." This means doing well on tests that measure things like vocabulary and memory. However, Sternberg believes this idea is too narrow. He thinks that intelligence is much more than just what traditional tests measure.
He points out that some people might not score high on tests but are very creative or "street smart." These people are good at solving real-life problems and adapting to new situations. Sternberg believes that being "gifted" should include these other types of intelligence too.
The Triarchic Theory of Intelligence
Sternberg's most famous idea is the triarchic theory of intelligence. He says that intelligence has three main parts:
- Analytical intelligence: This is like being "book smart." It's the ability to solve problems found in school or on traditional tests. These problems usually have one right answer.
- Creative intelligence: This is the ability to handle new and unusual situations. Creative people use what they already know to come up with new ideas. They might see things differently and find unique solutions.
- Practical intelligence: This is like being "street smart." It's the ability to adapt to everyday life. People with practical intelligence understand what needs to be done in a situation and then do it. They are good at picking up unspoken rules and using them.
Sternberg also talks about how experience helps intelligence grow. Creative intelligence helps us use ideas from one problem to solve a new kind of problem. This is called relative novelty. As we get better at something, it becomes automatic. This frees up our minds to think about new ideas.
Testing Different Abilities
Sternberg created a special test called the Sternberg Triarchic Abilities Test. This test measures not only traditional intelligence but also analytical, creative, and practical abilities. It also looks at how quickly someone can do mental tasks.
This test is different from regular intelligence tests in a few ways:
- It measures more than just analytical skills.
- It tests how well you can figure out new words from their context, not just words you already know.
- It includes a part that measures how fast your mind works.
- It is based on a clear theory of what intelligence is.
Sternberg has also criticized standard IQ tests. He says they are only a small part of what intelligence really is. He believes they don't give a full picture of a person's abilities.
Ideas About Thinking Styles
In 1988, Sternberg also came up with a theory about different "thinking styles." He believes that how we prefer to think and act is like different parts of a government. These styles are not about how smart you are, but how you like to use your intelligence.
He describes three main ways people think, like the branches of government:
- Legislative style: People with this style like to create new things and make their own rules. They enjoy building new ideas.
- Executive style: These people like to follow rules and work within a set structure. They prefer to be given a plan to follow.
- Judicial style: People with this style like to evaluate rules and ideas. They enjoy analyzing how things work.
He also describes four ways people manage their own thinking:
- Hierarchical style: You have many goals and can put them in order of importance.
- Monarchic style: You focus on one task until it's done.
- Oligarchic style: You have many goals but find it hard to decide which is most important.
- Anarchic style: You don't like following systems or rules and prefer to do things your own way.
Other styles include:
- Local vs. Global: Local thinkers focus on small details, while global thinkers see the big picture.
- Internal vs. External: Internal thinkers prefer to work alone, while external thinkers like to work with others.
- Liberal vs. Conservative: Liberal thinkers like change and new ideas, while conservative thinkers prefer familiar and predictable ways.
Everyone has a mix of these thinking styles, and they can change over time or in different situations.
Awards and Recognition
Robert Sternberg has received many awards for his work. These include:
- The Cattell Award from the Association for Psychological Science.
- The E. L. Thorndike Award for his achievements in educational psychology.
- The Grawemeyer Award for Psychology in 2018.
He has also been named one of the top 100 psychologists of the 20th century. He is a member of important groups like the National Academy of Education and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has also been the president of the American Psychological Association.
Other Research Interests
Besides intelligence, Sternberg also studies:
- Creativity and wisdom.
- Leadership.
- Love and hate.
He developed the triangular theory of love, which explains love using three parts: intimacy, passion, and commitment. He also has an "investment theory of creativity," which says creative people are like smart investors in the world of ideas.
See also
In Spanish: Robert J. Sternberg para niños
