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Robert Sternberg

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Robert J. Sternberg is a prominent American psychologist and psychometrician. A psychometrician is a scientist who specializes in the theory and technique of psychological measurement. He currently serves as a professor of Human Development at Cornell University. Sternberg is widely recognized for his extensive research into the complexities of the human mind. His work covers many areas, including creativity, wisdom, leadership, and interpersonal emotions like love and hate. In 2002, a survey ranked him as the 60th most cited psychologist of the 20th century. This high ranking shows how much other scientists rely on his published research.

Sternberg's interest in psychology was sparked by his own personal experiences with test anxiety. As a child in New Jersey, he struggled with nervousness during examinations. This anxiety caused him to perform poorly on standard tests. He reasoned that these tests were not adequate measurements of his true academic abilities. He discovered that his scores improved significantly when he took tests in rooms with younger students. This realization led him to develop his own intelligence test, known as the Test of Mental Ability, or STOMA. He wanted to create a tool that better captured actual knowledge.

His academic journey began at Yale University, where he earned his BA summa cum laude. Despite being a National Merit Scholar, he initially struggled in his introductory psychology class. He eventually earned high honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Sternberg then attended Stanford University to earn his PhD in 1975 under the advisor Gordon Bower. He later returned to Yale, where he spent thirty years as a professor. During his time there, he became the IBM Professor of Psychology and Education. He also founded the Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies and Expertise.

One of Sternberg's most significant contributions is the triarchic theory of intelligence. He argues that traditional intelligence tests are too narrow. He believes they often only measure people who are "school smart" or "book smart." His theory suggests that intelligence consists of three distinct parts. The first is analytical intelligence, which involves solving well-defined academic problems. The second is creative or synthetic intelligence, which is the ability to handle new and unusual situations. The third is practical intelligence, which allows people to adapt to or shape their environments. This model accounts for people who may be "street smart" but struggle with standard exams.

Sternberg has also explored how creativity and leadership work together. He co-created the investment theory of creativity. This theory states that creative people "buy low and sell high" in the world of ideas. He also proposed the propulsion theory of creative contributions. This theory suggests that creativity is actually a form of leadership. He applied these ideas to university admissions at Tufts University and Oklahoma State University. He wanted to test how creativity and wisdom-based skills could be quantified. He believed that analytical skills alone are only a small part of what makes an ethical leader.

In 2013, Sternberg became the 24th president of the University of Wyoming. His presidency was a period of significant organizational change and tension. He sought to move the university toward an ethics-based admission process. However, his leadership led to disagreements with many faculty members and administrators. Several deans and associate provosts resigned or were asked to leave during this time. Some staff members accused him of unethical treatment of the university's human capital. After 137 days in the role, Sternberg resigned from the presidency. His departure resulted in over $1.25 million in administration-related costs for the university.

Despite various professional challenges, Sternberg has received immense global recognition. He holds thirteen honorary doctorates from universities in many different countries. These include institutions like the University of Cambridge and the University of Paris V. He has won several prestigious awards, such as the Grawemeyer Award for Psychology and the Cattell Award. He has also served as the president of the American Psychological Association. His research continues to influence how we understand the relationship between thinking styles, leadership, and human development. He remains a highly cited figure in the fields of psychology and psychiatry.

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