Theories of Intelligence by Bruce Ballenger in The Curious Researcher Assignment

Theories of Intelligence by Bruce Ballenger in The Curious Researcher - Assignment Example He recalls memories of feeling intellectually inferior and derives meaning from things he has learned from research and the media and applies that knowledge to his life. Ballenger emphasizes the importance of people utilizing their strengths in order to become more accepting of their intelligence. He wrote that it took him a while to realize this. He recalled learning about he agreed with Gardner’s and Sternberg’s theories of intelligence. While he agreed with the theories, he felt that â€Å"there was a kind of intelligence that really counted and that I didn’t possess.† (p.16) Throughout the essay Ballenger takes the reader from his early childhood, to his current realization of his limitations and how this has helped him. 2. In the essay Ballenger mentions the results of a study on happiness that he learned while watching the news. The study suggested that everyone goes through a midlife crisis around the age of 52 because people at this age may come to feel that their lives did not turn out as they had hoped. These people usually feel better when they accept their strengths and weaknesses and accept that not all wishes will come true. After discussing these facts he offers commentary stating â€Å"It’s a great relief for me to know that things should be looking up.† ( p.13) On page 14 Ballenger discusses a youtube.com clip from the teen Miss USA contest where a contestant, Caitlin Upton responds incoherently to a question most people would view as common sense. Many people responded on by ridiculing Upton on the website. While Ballenger admits to ridiculing Upton, he acknowledged that he also sympathized with her because he could relate to the embarrassment that she must have been feel ing for appearing â€Å"unintelligent† He then discusses the research finding which states that American children tend to be rated on their intelligence beginning in elementary school, leading him to recall some