Books: The Intelligence Trap: Why Smart People Do Stupid Things and How to Make Wiser Decisions

‘A great many people think they are thinking, when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.’ (William James, 19th-century psychologist)

The Intelligence Trap is written for anyone who wants to escape the above mistake — a user’s guide to both the science and art of wisdom. The author asks three questions: why do smart people act stupidly? What skills and dispositions are they missing that can explain these mistakes? And, how can we cultivate those qualities that protect us from these errors? Robson is an award-winning science journalist working with BBC Future, where he specialises in psychology, neuroscience, and medicine. His skill as a journalist makes him readable and entertaining while his scientific approach makes him credible.

Robson engages us with stories; he reviews the scientific literature (notes and references of over 50 pages) and also describes his interviews with researchers exploring intelligence and wisdom.

Part 1 defines the problem. We explore the flaws in our understanding of intelligence and the ways that even the brightest of minds can backfire — from Arthur Conan Doyle’s dogged beliefs in fairies to the FBI’s flawed investigation into the Madrid bombings of 2004 — and the reasons why knowledge and expertise can exaggerate these errors.

Part 2 presents solutions to these problems by introducing the new discipline of ‘evidence-based wisdom’ (EBW), which outlines those other thinking dispositions and cognitive abilities crucial for good reasoning. It offers some practical techniques to cultivate EBW. We discover why our intuitions often fail and the ways we can correct those errors to fine-tune our instincts. We explore strategies to avoid falling for misinformation and fake news so that we can be sure that our choices are based on solid evidence rather than wishful thinking.

Part 3 turns to the science of learning and memory. Despite their brain power, intelligent people sometimes struggle to learn well, reaching a plateau in their abilities that fails to reflect their potential. EBW can help to break that vicious cycle by offering three rules for deep learning — rules that explain why East Asian education systems are so successful.

Part 4 explores the reasons why talented groups can act stupidly — from the failings of the England football team to the crises of huge organisations like BP, Nokia, and NASA.

There is a section on intuitive-based diagnostic errors by doctors, and how simple rational measures can reduce the rate of error. However, diagnostic errors take up only a few pages — this is a book that explores individuals and organisations from all areas of society.

The Intelligence Trap may help us not only make better decisions about patients, but also in our personal lives. It could be useful in our teaching by inspiring students to improve their thinking and learning skills. However, beyond being useful, I just found this book fascinating.

‘Life is short, and the Art long; the occasion fleeting; experience fallacious; and judgement difficult’. (Hippocrates).

• © British Journal of General Practice 2020