Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Smart people are not only just as prone to making mistakes as everyone else, they may be even more susceptible to them. This is the "intelligence trap," the subject of David Robson's fascinating and provocative book.

The Intelligence Trap explores cutting-edge ideas in our understanding of intelligence and expertise, including "strategic ignorance," "meta-forgetfulness," and "functional stupidity." Robson reveals the surprising ways that even the brightest minds and most talented organizations can go wrong--from some of Thomas Edison's worst ideas to failures at NASA, Nokia, and the FBI. And he offers practical advice to avoid mistakes based on the timeless lessons of Benjamin Franklin, Richard Feynman, and Daniel Kahneman.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. 1)
• Part 1 The downsides of intelligence: How a high IQ, education, and expertise can fuel stupidity
• 1 The rise and fall of the Termites: What intelligence is-and what it is not (p. 11)
• 2 Entangled arguments: The dangers of "dysrationalia" (p. 38)
• 3 The curse of knowledge: The beauty and fragility of the expert mind (p. 65)
• Part 2 Escaping the intelligence trap: A toolkit for reasoning and decision making
• 4 Moral algebra: Toward the science of evidence-based wisdom (p. 89)
• 5 Your emotional compass: The power of self-reflection (p. 115)
• 6 A bullshit detection kit: How to recognize lies and misinformation (p. 138)
• Part 3 The art of successful learning: How evidence-based wisdom can improve your memory
• 7 Tortoises and hares: Why smart people fail to learn (p. 167)
• 8 The benefits of eating bitter: East Asian education and the three principles of deep learning (p. 190)
• Part 4 The folly and wisdom of the crowd: How teams and organizations can avoid the intelligence trap
• 9 The makings of a "dream team": How to build a supergroup (p. 215)
• 10 Stupidity spreading like wildfire: Why disasters occur-and how to stop them (p. 238)
• Epilogue (p. 261)
• Appendix: Taxonomies of Stupidity and Wisdom (p. 265)
• Notes (p. 271)
• Acknowledgments (p. 311)
• Illustration Credits (p. 313)
• Index (p. 315)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

Using a wealth of research and case studies, Robson (former editor, New Scientist and BBC Future) demonstrates how having high intelligence is no guarantee of making sound decisions. The author goes on to detail how components such as motivated reasoning, bias blind spots, and earned dogmatism can lead to flaws in thinking. Robson offers a toolkit for developing skills to overcome these deficiencies, which includes moral algebra, self-reflection, and the ability to recognize lies and information. As a bonus, he illustrates how acquiring evidence-based wisdom improves memory. VERDICT This fascinating read provides solutions for combating misinformation that are particularly helpful in today's political climate.

Publishers Weekly Review

Science journalist and debut author Robson builds his entertaining and highly readable pop-psychology study on the perhaps dubious expectation that readers will still assume "intelligence is synonymous with good thinking" and associate good decision-making with prestigious jobs and education. Despite this relatively weak foundation, Robson exceeds expectations in his look at the pitfalls of individual and institutional intelligence, collecting a number of fascinating case studies, among them how Arthur Conan Doyle fell prey to spiritualist hoaxers and how a dysfunctional corporate culture prevented Nokia from taking the edge in the early days of smartphone development. Persuasively arguing that "general intelligence is a crucial ingredient to good thinking-but it needs many other complementary traits to truly flourish," Robson effectively summarizes the established and emerging bodies of research that support his argument, starting with the pioneering IQ research of Lewis Terman in the early 20th century, and going on to the more recent field of "evidence-based wisdom," dating back to the 1970s. Occasionally, the writing veers into self-help territory, with briefs for the benefit of traits such as intellectual humility, which feels discordant with Robson's otherwise narrative work. However, he strikes the right balance between illustrative vignettes and accessible translations of complex research, delivering a smart look at intellect and its shortcomings. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

Why are highly intelligent people capable of making really terrible mistakes or being duped by hoaxes? And then insisting on the correctness of their thinking, despite significant evidence to the contrary? Robson, a journalist who concentrates on neuroscience and psychology, believes these people are ensnared in an intelligence trap: flawed mental habits that can increase the likelihood of screwing up. In this entertaining and highly readable account, Robson explores topics ranging from how various societies measure intelligence to the differences between being smart and being able to apply common sense, to how psychological ploys can skew intellectual perception. Along the way, he cites several accessible examples, invites readers to participate in thinking puzzles, and warns of the danger of confusing intuitive gut reactions with stomach flu. His ultimate goal is to help readers break away from ingrained mental practices and think more wisely, ""by wielding our minds with insight, precision, and humility."" Chapter notes and ""Taxonomies of Stupidity and Wisdom"" support his arguments, giving readers plenty to think about.--Kathleen McBroom Copyright 2019 Booklist