Beautiful Minds

Musings on the many paths to greatness.

by Scott Barry Kaufman

New Sensitivity Gene Discovered

Some of the very same genes that under certain environmental conditions are associated with some of the lowest lows of humanity, are associated with the highest highs of human flourishing under supportive conditions. Read More

Social and Mechanical Reasoning Inhibit Each Other

The brain can't engage social and mechanical reasoning at the same time. Read More

The Pesky Persistence of Labels

New study shows that just because a label has been lifted doesn't make it disappear. Read More

Interview with Author and Magician Alex Stone

Interview with Author and Magician Alex Stone about his book "Fooling Houdini." Read More

Social Rejection Can Fuel Creativity

Social rejection fuels creativity for people with an independent mindset. Read More

The Cognitive Psychology of Pick-up Lines

How perception and cognition influences receptivity to pick-up lines. Read More

10 Insights to Enhance the Joy of Learning

The essence of the joy of learning. Read More

Interview with World Memory Champion Boris Nikolai Konrad

A look inside the mind of a world memory champion. Read More

Men, Women, and IQ: Setting the Record Straight

What James Flynn's data actually reveals about gender differences in intelligence. Read More

Pride and Creativity

How is pride related to creative achievement? Read More

Are Prodigies Autistic?

New study on prodigies reveals some startling findings. Read More

Why Weird Experiences Boost Creativity

A crucial trigger for flexible thinking and creativity is the experience of unusual and unexpected events. Read More

Interview with Pickup Artist Chaser Clarisse Thorn

Interview with feminist S & M writer Clarisse Thorn on her experiences chasing "pickup artists". Read More

"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

Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D. is a cognitive psychologist at NYU interested in intelligence and creativity development. He is the author of forthcoming Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined.

more...