Ungifted - by Scott Barry Kaufman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A convincing -- and moving -- case for the great potential of even an 'ordinary' mind." --Parade
In Ungifted, cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman -- who was relegated to special education as a child -- offers a new way of looking at intelligence. He explores the latest research in genetics, neuroscience, and psychology to challenge the conventional wisdom about the childhood predictors of adult success, arguing for a more holistic approach to intelligence that takes into account each individual's abilities, engagement, and personal goals.
Combining original research and a singular compassion, Ungifted increases our appreciation for all different kinds of minds and ways of achieving both personally meaningful and publicly recognized forms of success.

Review Quotes

"Ungifted insightfully interweaves a personal story with scientific research to prove that many of us have special gifts that can lead to greatness. Scott Barry Kaufman shows that we just cannot let others tell us what those gifts are."--Dean Keith Simonton, distinguished professor of psychology, University of California, Davis, and author of Origins of Genius

"Ungifted provides a wealth of information about unlocking the potential of those at all levels of the IQ and personality scales. It is interwoven with the author's early life history, which was a tragedy of misdiagnosis."--James R. Flynn, emeritus professor of politics, University of Otago, and author of What is Intelligence?

"A convincing--and moving--case for the great potential of even an 'ordinary' mind."--Parade

"A good read...introduces the reader to the world of intelligence testing in a highly literate style and pulls back the curtain on some very bad practices in public schools.... Kaufman makes a strong case that anyone can be great, even the 'ungifted.'"--Post and Courier

"A moving personal story of overcoming the effects of having been labeled as learning disabled, and at the same time a wide ranging exploration of a set of fascinating topics related to ability, learning, and achievement. An inspiring account that should both educate and give hope to children, teachers, and parents."--Ellen Winner, professor of psychology, Boston College, and author of Gifted Children: Myths and Realities

"A warmly human and coolly scientific survey of both the reductive and the liberating fruits of two centuries of cognitive research."--The Scientist

"Fascinating.... A smart, lucid, and down-to-earth exposition of the underlying neuroscience and the contentious history of theories of intelligence.... Blending incisive analysis with a warm sympathy for intellectual insecurities--and potential--Kaufman demonstrates that even the most ordinary mind is a strange and wondrous gift."--Publishers Weekly

"Kaufman makes a convincing case for incorporating valuable but less easily measured attributes into our view of intelligence.... Most powerfully, Kaufman illustrates the importance of uncovering what gives each person his or her own brand of intelligence, taking into account individual goals, psychologies and brain chemistry."--Scientific American Mind

"Kaufman makes a convincing case that stereotyping students is not only unsupported by research, but also discriminatory.... An inspiring, informative affirmation of human potential combined with an overview of historical developments in standardized tests, cognitive psychology and current research."--Kirkus Reviews

"Kaufman presents a convincing 'theory of personal intelligence.' But what emerges most clearly is how all children--gifted, disabled or simply humming with untapped abilities--need a fine-tuned, holistic education to shine in their own extraordinary ways."--Nature

"Kaufman's portrait of the history of intelligence provides a background on experiments in cognitive psychology, biographical information about influential researchers, and details of his own experience in the special education classroom, making this academic work also personal. Highly recommended for readers curious about human intelligence." --Library Journal, starred review

About the Author

Scott Barry Kaufman is Scientific Director of the Imagination Institute in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his doctorate at Yale, his M. Phil. at the University of Cambridge under a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and his undergraduate degree at Carnegie Mellon University. He is cofounder of The Creativity Post, and writes the blog Beautiful Minds for Scientific American. Kaufman lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.