The Nature and Acquisition of Practical Intelligence

Key Insight

Practical intelligence, as defined by psychologist Robert Sternberg, involves 'knowing what to say to whom, knowing when to say it, and knowing how to say it for maximum effect.' It is a procedural knowledge that helps individuals correctly interpret situations and achieve their goals, distinct from analytical ability or IQ. Importantly, practical intelligence is 'orthogonal' to general intelligence, meaning the presence of one does not guarantee the other; one can possess high analytical intelligence with low practical intelligence, or vice versa, or, ideally, both.

Unlike analytical intelligence, which is partly innate (IQ heritability is roughly 50 percent), practical intelligence is a learned set of skills primarily acquired from family upbringing. Sociologist Annette Lareau's study of twelve third-grade families, visited over twenty times, identified two distinct parenting styles based on class lines. Wealthier parents practiced 'concerted cultivation,' actively fostering children's talents through structured activities like multiple sports and music lessons, and engaging in reasoning and negotiation with them.

In contrast, poorer parents followed 'accomplishment of natural growth,' providing care but allowing children to develop independently with less structured free time. Children raised through concerted cultivation learned a positive sense of 'entitlement,' enabling them to assert preferences, manage institutional interactions, and speak up to authority figures. This advantage, exemplified by Alex Williams interrupting his doctor, contrasts with working-class children like Katie Brindle, who were often characterized by 'distance, distrust, and constraint,' lacking the skills to customize environments or effectively advocate for themselves.