Beautiful Minds

Musings on the many paths to greatness.

by Scott Barry Kaufman

"Brainy" Is What "Brainy" Does

In his recent article "How Brainy Is Your Major", my good friend Jonathan Wai defines "brainy" and "smart" as doing well on a standardized test. I beg to differ. Read More

Brain Stimulation Makes the 'Impossible Problem' Solvable

'Thinking cap' makes a virtually impossible problem — possible. Read More

Can 'Genius' Be Detected in Infancy?

Heidi Hankins is all over the news for scoring a MENSA-level IQ at age four. Can high intelligence really be detected in infancy? Read More

Personality Influences on Cognitive Training

A new study suggests that the outcomes of working memory training depend heavily on personality—particularly neuroticism and conscientiousness. Read More

Interview with Trina Paulus, Author of Hope for the Flowers

Trina Paulus, author of Hope for the Flowers, discusses the meaning of her book, and her writing process. Read More

The Need for Pretend Play in Child Development

Over the last seventy-five years a number of theorists and researchers have identified the values of imaginative play as a vital component to the normal development of a child. Read More

Intelligence in the Brain: Conversation With Neuroscientist Rogier Kievit

Neuroscientist Rogier Kievit discusses the neuroscience of intelligence. Read More

The Origins of Positive-Constructive Daydreaming

The important difference between mind wandering and daydreaming. Read More

Are Narcissists Better at Reading Minds?

Is there a dark side to theory of mind? Read More

How Convergent and Divergent Thinking Foster Creativity

What happens when the IQ test taker becomes the IQ test constructor? Read More

The Need to Believe in the Ability of Disability

Our society has clear expectations regarding students who don’t fit the norm. Read More

Must One Risk Madness to Achieve Genius?

Must one risk getting lost in the sea of madness in order to reach the lone island of genius? Read More

Educational Psychologist Kevin McGrew: An IQ Test Maker Who Goes Beyond IQ

IQ test maker Kevin McGrew on IQ testing and the need to go beyond IQ. Read More

Who Is Currently Identified as Gifted in the United States?

A recent national survey of state policies and practices reveals how the United States defines giftedness, identifies giftedness, and accommodates gifted minority students. Read More

The Will and Ways of Hope

Hope involves the will to get there, and different ways to get there. Read More

Is Daydreaming Pathological?

Recent research reexamines the link between fantasy and psychopathology. Read More

Baba Brinkman's Psychological Profile

I had the pleasure of sitting down with rapper, playwright, and science/literature popularizer Baba Brinkman. We chatted about his development as a rapper. I also gave him a battery of psychological tests, and we discussed his results. Have you always wondered whether Baba Brinkman has adaptive forms of narcissism (admit it, you have)? Then check out this video right away! Read More

Confidence Matters Just as Much as Ability

Differences in performance may not have to do so much with actual ability, as confidence in that ability. Read More

The Dark Side of Creativity

Creativity is not always ethical. Read More

Tucker Max's Psychological Profile

Tucker Max took my lengthy psychological battery of personality and reasoning tests. Here are his shocking, and nuanced results. Read More

Who Enters Flow?

Flow- the mental state of being completely present and fully immersed in a task- is a strong contributor to creativity. But who enters flows? Read More

Is High Ability Necessary for Greatness?

To reach the highest levels of greatness requires ability. But is high ability necessary, or can one compensate for deficiencies by drawing on strengths? Read More

Intelligence Is Still Not Fixed at Birth

Recent research confirms that intelligence fluctuates quite a bit in adolescence. Read More

Imagine Science Film Festival Fosters Collaboration Between Scientists and Filmmakers

The Imagine Science Film Festival Kicks Off Read More

Psychedelics Open the Mind

I always thought there was something psychedelic about Apple products. Recent research suggests that Jobs' trips in the 70's may have indeed opened up his mind. Read More

Why Inspiration Matters

Inspiration allows us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations and is a strong driver of creativity and well-being. In recent years, fascinating studies on inspiration have emerged, allowing us to take something as seemingly elusive as inspiration and understand its operation and impact on other important psychological outcomes. Read More

How To Increase Your Harmonious Passion

Work brings some people intrinsic joy. These people feel in control of their work, feel good about themselves while working, find their work to be in harmony with their other activities. Psychologists describe these folks as having harmonious passion. But there's another kind of passion... Read More