Scott Barry Kaufman
Encyclopedia
Scott Barry Kaufman is an American psychologist and popular science writer specializing in the development of talent, intelligence, creativity, imagination, and personality. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology at New York University
and Senior Pedagogical Advisor of The Future Project, an educational reform movement that aims to inspire young Americans through dynamic partnerships.
Kaufman is the editor of four academic books, including The Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence (with Robert J. Sternberg), and has over thirty academic publications. He writes a blog for Psychology Today
called "Beautiful Minds" and is a contributing writer for The Huffington Post
. He is also Associate Editor of The International Journal of Creativity and Problem Solving and the Sex, Art, and Pop Culture Editor of The Evolutionary Review.
Kaufman won the 2008 Frank X. Barron Award from the American Psychological Association
for his superior contributions to the psychology of aesthetics, creativity, and the arts.
in 1998, Kaufman received his B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University
, where he was Nobel Prize Winner Herbert Simon
's last research assistant, and a student of Randy Pausch
. In 2005, He received his M.Phil. from King's College, Cambridge
under a Gates Scholarship
, where he worked with Nicholas Mackintosh
. After Cambridge, Kaufman earned his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Yale University
where he was mentored by Robert Sternberg
, Jeremy R. Gray, and Jerome L. Singer. From 2009-2010, he was a post-doctoral fellow at the Center Leo Apostel for Interdisciplinary Studies
.
.
and tests of intelligence emphasize controlled and deliberate reasoning as the hallmark of human intelligence. While agreeing that such thought processes are an important component of intelligence, Kaufman argues that spontaneous forms of thinking such as insight
, imaginative play, daydreaming, implicit learning
, and a reduced latent inhibition
are also important contributors to a wide-range of intelligent behaviors as well as creative greatness. Integrating modern dual-process theories of cognition with research on human intelligence
, Kaufman proposed the Dual-Process Theory of Human Intelligence. According to the theory, intelligence is the ability to flexibly switch between modes of cognition depending on the task demands. This definition emphasizes the importance of adaptation to task demands as the essence of intelligent functioning. At the same time, the theory accommodates a wide range of intelligent behaviors, from the arts to the sciences. Additionally, the dual-process theory incorporates both ability and engagement. Regardless of ability, people differ in their openness to engage in their intellect, imagination, and full range of emotions. A key assumption of the dual-process theory is that abilities are not static entities but are constantly changing throughout the life span as the person continually engages with multiple modes of thought.
that claimed to prove that Black Women were least attractive. Kaufman wrote that Kanazawa's work showed “poor logic, lack of nuance, and blatant disregard for the totality of the evidence.”
In addition, together with Intelligence researcher Dr. Jelte Wicherts, Dr. Kaufman argued that Kanazawa misinterpreted the 'Add Health' study he claimed proved that Black Women were least attractive. Drs. Kaufman and Wicherts conducted an independent analysis of the same study that Kanazawa used and found, amongst other errors of Kanazawa's analysis, that black women were not rated as least attractive. The study showed "there is no difference between the ethnicities in terms of ratings of physical attractiveness." The percentage of black women and Caucasian women who were deemed 'very attractive' and 'attractive' were exactly the same. Asian women had a slightly higher rating.
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and Senior Pedagogical Advisor of The Future Project, an educational reform movement that aims to inspire young Americans through dynamic partnerships.
Kaufman is the editor of four academic books, including The Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence (with Robert J. Sternberg), and has over thirty academic publications. He writes a blog for Psychology Today
Psychology Today
Psychology Today is a bi-monthly magazine published in the United States. It is a psychology-based magazine about relationships, health, and related topics written for a mass audience of non-psychologists. Psychology Today was founded in 1967 and features articles on such topics as love,...
called "Beautiful Minds" and is a contributing writer for The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
. He is also Associate Editor of The International Journal of Creativity and Problem Solving and the Sex, Art, and Pop Culture Editor of The Evolutionary Review.
Kaufman won the 2008 Frank X. Barron Award from the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
for his superior contributions to the psychology of aesthetics, creativity, and the arts.
Education
After graduating from Lower Merion High SchoolLower Merion High School
Lower Merion High School, is an American public high school in Ardmore, a community on the Pennsylvania Main Line.It is the larger of the two high schools in Lower Merion School District, which serves both Lower Merion Township and the Borough of Narberth. It was ranked among the top 60 U.S. high...
in 1998, Kaufman received his B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
, where he was Nobel Prize Winner Herbert Simon
Herbert Simon
Herbert Alexander Simon was an American political scientist, economist, sociologist, and psychologist, and professor—most notably at Carnegie Mellon University—whose research ranged across the fields of cognitive psychology, cognitive science, computer science, public administration, economics,...
's last research assistant, and a student of Randy Pausch
Randy Pausch
Randolph Frederick "Randy" Pausch was an American professor of computer science and human-computer interaction and design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania....
. In 2005, He received his M.Phil. from King's College, Cambridge
King's College, Cambridge
King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
under a Gates Scholarship
Gates Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships were established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 with a $210 million endowment to enable outstanding graduate students from outside the United Kingdom to study at the University of Cambridge. The awardees are given funding for postgraduate study at...
, where he worked with Nicholas Mackintosh
Nicholas Mackintosh
Nicholas John Mackintosh, FRS is a British experimental psychologist and author, specializing in intelligence, psychometrics and animal learning.-Career:...
. After Cambridge, Kaufman earned his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
where he was mentored by Robert Sternberg
Robert Sternberg
Robert Jeffrey Sternberg , is an American psychologist and psychometrician and Provost at Oklahoma State University. He was formerly the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University, IBM Professor of Psychology and Education at Yale University and the President of the American Psychological...
, Jeremy R. Gray, and Jerome L. Singer. From 2009-2010, he was a post-doctoral fellow at the Center Leo Apostel for Interdisciplinary Studies
Center Leo Apostel for Interdisciplinary Studies
The Center Leo Apostel for Interdisciplinary Studies is an interdisciplinary research centre founded at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 1995 with the aim to construct integrating worldviews...
.
Personal
Kaufman is the grandson of former Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Harry GorodetzerHarry Gorodetzer
Harry Gorodetzer was a cellist for the Philadelphia Orchestra for 50 seasons during a period in which the orchestra received world-wide acclaim for its "Philadelphia Sound". It was during this time that the Orchestra also produced some of its most well-known recordings.Mr. Gorodetzer was the last...
.
Dual-Process Theory of Human Intelligence
Most theories of human intelligenceIntelligence
Intelligence has been defined in different ways, including the abilities for abstract thought, understanding, communication, reasoning, learning, planning, emotional intelligence and problem solving....
and tests of intelligence emphasize controlled and deliberate reasoning as the hallmark of human intelligence. While agreeing that such thought processes are an important component of intelligence, Kaufman argues that spontaneous forms of thinking such as insight
Insight
Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect in a specific context. Insight can be used with several related meanings:*a piece of information...
, imaginative play, daydreaming, implicit learning
Implicit learning
Implicit learning is learning of complex information in an incidental manner, without awareness of what has been learned. It may require a certain minimal amount of attention and may depend on attentional and working memory mechanisms...
, and a reduced latent inhibition
Latent inhibition
Latent inhibition is a technical term used in Classical conditioning. A stimulus that has not had any significance in the past takes longer to acquire meaning than a new stimulus...
are also important contributors to a wide-range of intelligent behaviors as well as creative greatness. Integrating modern dual-process theories of cognition with research on human intelligence
Intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in different ways, including the abilities for abstract thought, understanding, communication, reasoning, learning, planning, emotional intelligence and problem solving....
, Kaufman proposed the Dual-Process Theory of Human Intelligence. According to the theory, intelligence is the ability to flexibly switch between modes of cognition depending on the task demands. This definition emphasizes the importance of adaptation to task demands as the essence of intelligent functioning. At the same time, the theory accommodates a wide range of intelligent behaviors, from the arts to the sciences. Additionally, the dual-process theory incorporates both ability and engagement. Regardless of ability, people differ in their openness to engage in their intellect, imagination, and full range of emotions. A key assumption of the dual-process theory is that abilities are not static entities but are constantly changing throughout the life span as the person continually engages with multiple modes of thought.
Controversies
Kaufman publicly responded to a Psychology Today blog (later retracted by the website) by evolutionary psychologist Satoshi KanazawaSatoshi Kanazawa
Satoshi Kanazawa PhD is a Reader in Management at the London School of Economics. His work uses evolutionary psychology to analyze social sciences such as sociology, economics, and anthropology...
that claimed to prove that Black Women were least attractive. Kaufman wrote that Kanazawa's work showed “poor logic, lack of nuance, and blatant disregard for the totality of the evidence.”
In addition, together with Intelligence researcher Dr. Jelte Wicherts, Dr. Kaufman argued that Kanazawa misinterpreted the 'Add Health' study he claimed proved that Black Women were least attractive. Drs. Kaufman and Wicherts conducted an independent analysis of the same study that Kanazawa used and found, amongst other errors of Kanazawa's analysis, that black women were not rated as least attractive. The study showed "there is no difference between the ethnicities in terms of ratings of physical attractiveness." The percentage of black women and Caucasian women who were deemed 'very attractive' and 'attractive' were exactly the same. Asian women had a slightly higher rating.
Edited Books
- Beyond Talent or Practice: The Complexity of Greatness (2012). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
- The Philosophy of Creativity (with Elliot Samuel Paul) (2012). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
- The Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence (with Robert J. Sternberg) (2011). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. (ISBN 0-521-73911-X)
- The Psychology of Creative Writing (with James C. KaufmanJames C. KaufmanJames C. Kaufman is a psychologist known for his research on creativity. He is a Professor of Psychology at the California State University, San Bernardino, where he is the director of the Learning Research Institute. He received his Ph.D. from Yale University in Cognitive Psychology, where he...
) (2009). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. (ISBN 0-521-70782-X)
Key Readings
- Conversations on Creativity with Darold Treffert, Psychology Today, 27 April 2011
- Conversations on Creativity with Daniel Tammet, Psychology Today, 2 January 2010
- Conversations on Creativity with Joshua Waitzkin, Psychology Today, 27 November 2008
- 8 Surprising Truths About Parenting, Genes, and What Really Makes Us Who We Are, Huffington Post, March 2011
- Confessions of a Late Bloomer, Psychology Today, November 2008.
- Genius, Genes, and Gusto: How Passions Find You, Psychology Today, November 2009.
- How to Win American Idol, Psychology Today, January 2010.
- Is There Really a Genius in All of Us?, Huffington Post, April 2011.
- Why Daydreamers Are More Creative, Psychology Today, February 2011.
- Why Passion Is a Gift, Psychology Today, February 2011.
- Kaufman, S.B. (2011). Intelligence and the cognitive unconscious. In R.J. Sternberg & S.B. Kaufman (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Intelligence. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. download article
- Liane GaboraLiane GaboraLiane Gabora is a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan. She is best known for her theory of the "Origin of the modern mind through conceptual closure." This built on her earlier work on "Autocatalytic closure in a cognitive system: A tentative scenario for the...
, & Kaufman, S.B. (2011). Evolutionary approaches to creativity. In R.J. Sternberg & J.C. Kaufman (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of Creativity. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. download article - Kaufman, S.B., & Robert SternbergRobert SternbergRobert Jeffrey Sternberg , is an American psychologist and psychometrician and Provost at Oklahoma State University. He was formerly the Dean of Arts and Sciences at Tufts University, IBM Professor of Psychology and Education at Yale University and the President of the American Psychological...
(2008). Conceptions of giftedness. In S. Pfeiffer (Ed.), Handbook of giftedness in children: Psycho-educational theory, research, and best practices. New York, NY: Plenum. download article