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Copyright © 2014 by Garth

Copyright © 2014 by Garth SundemSundem All rights reserved.

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States

Published in the United States by Three Rivers Press, an imprint of by Three Rivers Press, an imprint of the Crownthe Crown Publishing Group, a division of

Publishing Group, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random HouseRandom House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, New York.

Company, New York.

www.crownpublishing.com www.crownpublishing.com

Three Rivers Press and the Tugboat

Three Rivers Press and the Tugboat design are registered trademarks ofdesign are registered trademarks of Random House LLC.

Random House LLC.

Library of Congress

Cataloging-Library of Congress Cataloging-in-in-Publication DataPublication Data Sundem, Garth.

Sundem, Garth.

Beyond IQ / Garth Sundem. Beyond IQ / Garth Sundem. p. cm

p. cm

1. Emotional intelligence. 2. Multiple intelligences. 3. Creative ability. 4.

1. Emotional intelligence. 2. Multiple intelligences. 3. Creative ability. 4. ProblemProblem solving. 5. Intuition. I. Title.

solving. 5. Intuition. I. Title. BF576.S86 2014 BF576.S86 2014 153.9— 153.9—dc23dc23 2013022757 2013022757 ISBN 978-ISBN 978-0-0-7704-7704-3596-3596-77 eBook ISBN 978-eBook ISBN 978-0-0-7704-7704-3597-3597-44

Printed in the United States of America Printed in the United States of America Book design by Elina D.

Book design by Elina D. NudelmanNudelman Cover design by Nupoor Gordon Cover design by Nupoor Gordon Cover illustration by Hein

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In the movie

In the movie Pretty Woman,Pretty Woman, Richard Gere’s character  Richard Gere’s character inexpertly drivesinexpertly drives a friend’s Lotus through the Hollywood Hills, grinding the gears, and a friend’s Lotus through the Hollywood Hills, grinding the gears, and eventually stops at a red light next to a Dodge Colt. The Lotus has a eventually stops at a red light next to a Dodge Colt. The Lotus has a

345-345-horsepower, supercharged 3.5-horsepower, supercharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, which can doliter V6 engine, which can do 0–

0–100 mph in 9.9 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. The Colt does100 mph in 9.9 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. The Colt does not. There’s a pretty woman—

not. There’s a pretty woman—not the titular character—not the titular character—in the pas-in the pas-senger seat of the Colt,

senger seat of the Colt, and Gere’s character cocks an eyebrow in herand Gere’s character cocks an eyebrow in her direction and revs the engine. The light turns green. Gere drops the direction and revs the engine. The light turns green. Gere drops the clutch . . . and the Lotus bucks to a stop a

clutch . . . and the Lotus bucks to a stop as the Colt leaves it in the dust.s the Colt leaves it in the dust. That’s IQ. You can have all the mental horsepower in the world That’s IQ. You can have all the mental horsepower in the world under your hood, but if you can’t drive it, there you are stuck on under your hood, but if you can’t drive it, there you are stuck on Hol-lywood Boulevard amid the smoke of a

lywood Boulevard amid the smoke of a burning transmissionburning transmission..

In other words, raw intelligence is good: it helps to shape your In other words, raw intelligence is good: it helps to shape your potential top speed. But there’s much, much more that

potential top speed. But there’s much, much more that goes into realiz-goes into

realiz-INTRODUCTION 

INTRODUCTION 

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xii

xii IntroductionIntroduction

 to

 to drive your drive your mind—mind— to get  to get the the most from most from what you’ve what you’ve got under got under thethe hood. Entertaining information will help you understand what these hood. Entertaining information will help you understand what these skills are and aren’t.

Hands-skills are and aren’t. Hands-on exercises will boost your wisdom, in-on exercises will boost your wisdom, in-sight, willpower, problem solving, emotional

sight, willpower, problem solving, emotional intelligence, multitasking,intelligence, multitasking, and more—

and more—all the things that bridge the all the things that bridge the gap between the intelligencegap between the intelligence in your head and the

in your head and the results you want in the results you want in the real world.real world. Why is it worth focusing on these

non-Why is it worth focusing on these non-IQ skills? Well, the fact is,IQ skills? Well, the fact is, while IQ is obviously important to

real-while IQ is obviously important to real-world success, it’s only part ofworld success, it’s only part of  the picture—

 the picture—and as you’ll see in these pages, a farand as you’ll see in these pages, a far smaller smaller  part of it part of it  than

 than you you might might think. think. Haven’Haven’t t you you met met someone someone rich rich and and successfulsuccessful who . . . didn’t seem like the brightest bulb, in the

book-who . . . didn’t seem like the brightest bulb, in the book-learning kindlearning kind of way? Or, vice versa, someone who’s a walking encyclopedia but just of way? Or, vice versa, someone who’s a walking encyclopedia but just can’t seem to get ahead in life?

can’t seem to get ahead in life? These gaps between IQ

These gaps between IQ and success aren’t just dumb and success aren’t just dumb (or smart!)(or smart!) luck—

luck— they’re  they’re due due to to the the influence influence of of all all these these other, other, often often unmea- unmea-sured, skills. In the

sured, skills. In the coming chapters, you’ll see numerous studies andcoming chapters, you’ll see numerous studies and scientists testifying to this fact, but for now, how about just

scientists testifying to this fact, but for now, how about just one quickone quick example: According to a study by the former president of the American example: According to a study by the former president of the American Psychologic

Psychological Association, Robert al Association, Robert Sternberg, and his Sternberg, and his frequent collabo-frequent collabo-rator, Richard Wagner (no relation to

rator, Richard Wagner (no relation to the composer!),the composer!), practical practical  intel-  intel-ligence is actually a far better

ligence is actually a far better predictor of job performance than IQ.predictor of job performance than IQ. And practical intelligence is just one of these

non-And practical intelligence is just one of these non-IQ skills thatIQ skills that  turns

 turns out out to to matter matter as as much much or or more more than than intelligence intelligence itself. itself. EmotionalEmotional intelligence, willpower, creativity, motivation, the ability to perform intelligence, willpower, creativity, motivation, the ability to perform under pressure—

under pressure— they  they all all make make aa huge huge   difference in our everyday  difference in our everyday lives. Chances are that with a 115 IQ and all

lives. Chances are that with a 115 IQ and all these skills, you’ll be hap-these skills, you’ll be hap-pier, more successful, and more fulfilled than a Mensa member who pier, more successful, and more fulfilled than a Mensa member who lacks them.

lacks them.

But that’s not the only reason to focus on these

non-But that’s not the only reason to focus on these non-IQ skills. MuchIQ skills. Much as we’d all love to supercharge our IQs, the bad news is you’ve either as we’d all love to supercharge our IQs, the bad news is you’ve either

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Introduction

Introduction xiiixiii IQ is

IQ is genetically determined—genetically determined—you can fine-you can fine- tune it, sure, but to a gr tune it, sure, but to a greateat extent, the engine you’re born with is

extent, the engine you’re born with is the one you’ve got.the one you’ve got. And chances are, you’ve

And chances are, you’ve already already   tweaked your IQ as much as  tweaked your IQ as much as you can, even if you don’t realize it. How many years of schooling do you can, even if you don’t realize it. How many years of schooling do you have? Twelve? Sixteen? More? Here’s a news flash: many of your you have? Twelve? Sixteen? More? Here’s a news flash: many of your classes were thinly veiled IQ training sessions, designed to prepare classes were thinly veiled IQ training sessions, designed to prepare you for standardized tests like the SAT and GRE that measure your IQ. you for standardized tests like the SAT and GRE that measure your IQ. (Really, they do; researchers can use students’ SAT scores to predict (Really, they do; researchers can use students’ SAT scores to predict  their IQ to within

 their IQ to within a few points.) After all a few points.) After all that training, how that training, how much moremuch more room do you imagine your IQ has to grow?

room do you imagine your IQ has to grow?

For most of us, the same isn’t true of creativity, emotional For most of us, the same isn’t true of creativity, emotional intel-ligence, and the rest. Unlike the

IQ-ligence, and the rest. Unlike the IQ- type activities most of us practiced type activities most of us practiced in school, the education system spends little time honing these in school, the education system spends little time honing these non-IQ skills. (For instance: when was the last time someone explained IQ skills. (For instance: when was the last time someone explained  the

 the mechanics mechanics of of intuition intuition to to you, you, or or told told you you what what science science has has toto say about activating it? Yeah—

say about activating it? Yeah— that’s what  that’s what I thought.) I thought.) Whereas IQ Whereas IQ is ais a pitcher you’ve largely filled, your

non-pitcher you’ve largely filled, your non-IQ brain skills are nearly emptyIQ brain skills are nearly empty  jugs waitin

 jugs waiting for juice.g for juice.

So if you’re looking to eke out another few points on

So if you’re looking to eke out another few points on an IQ test . . .an IQ test . . . well, you know what to do. Just keep doing the kind of training you’ve well, you know what to do. Just keep doing the kind of training you’ve been doing all your life. But if you want to get your brain functioning been doing all your life. But if you want to get your brain functioning better in ways that

better in ways that matter,matter, stop trying to painfully squeeze another stop trying to painfully squeeze another mile or two per hour of top speed out of your already

finely-mile or two per hour of top speed out of your already finely- tuned tuned IQ engine. Instead, join me in thinking about how to

IQ engine. Instead, join me in thinking about how to maximize the IQmaximize the IQ  you’ve

 you’ve already already got.got. Learn how to drive your mind. Learn how to drive your mind.

And no, you don’t have to take my word for whether this stuff And no, you don’t have to take my word for whether this stuff actually works. Every claim and exercise in these pages springs from actually works. Every claim and exercise in these pages springs from interviews with some of the

interviews with some of the country’s top brain researchers and stud-country’s top brain researchers and stud-ies published in

peer-ies published in peer-reviewed journals. This is realreviewed journals. This is real science,science, people. people. Here you’ll learn what top psychology researchers have to say about Here you’ll learn what top psychology researchers have to say about

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xiv IntroductionIntroduction

good so that a

good so that age leads to wisdom. You’ll learn to clear clutter from thege leads to wisdom. You’ll learn to clear clutter from the path to an insightful solution and boost the s

path to an insightful solution and boost the skills of executive function:kills of executive function: willpower, focus, and multitasking. And much more.

willpower, focus, and multitasking. And much more.

Hopefully you’ll even enjoy it. That’s because this book knows the Hopefully you’ll even enjoy it. That’s because this book knows the lesson of the New Year’s resolution: a promise to do something you lesson of the New Year’s resolution: a promise to do something you hate will last about as long as your New Year’s hangover. Instead, the hate will last about as long as your New Year’s hangover. Instead, the vast majority of the exercises in these chapters, while remaining vast majority of the exercises in these chapters, while remaining sci-entifically sound, are meant to be fun. You get to dissect the illogical entifically sound, are meant to be fun. You get to dissect the illogical quotes of world leaders, sort ladybugs, solve riddles,

role-quotes of world leaders, sort ladybugs, solve riddles, role-play as Mac-play as Mac-Gyver, write your own limericks, and combine illustrated elements into Gyver, write your own limericks, and combine illustrated elements into Rube Goldberg machines.

Rube Goldberg machines.

That’s not to say the exercises in this book are

That’s not to say the exercises in this book are easy easy  — —if theyif they weren’t challenging, they wouldn’t do you any good. The moral of the weren’t challenging, they wouldn’t do you any good. The moral of the booming field of neuroplasticity is that the more you stretch your booming field of neuroplasticity is that the more you stretch your brain, the more you can change the patterns of its wiring. And by its brain, the more you can change the patterns of its wiring. And by its nature, a simple path creates a simple brain. Instead, the key to nature, a simple path creates a simple brain. Instead, the key to suc-cessful thinking and wondering and evaluating is, well, spending time cessful thinking and wondering and evaluating is, well, spending time and effort on the

brain-and effort on the brain-bending experience of thinking brain-and wonderingbending experience of thinking and wondering and evaluating.

and evaluating.

But stretching your mind needn’t be horrible and frustrating and But stretching your mind needn’t be horrible and frustrating and boring. Perhaps the most important lesson in this book of lessons is boring. Perhaps the most important lesson in this book of lessons is  that

 that putting putting the the engine engine of of your your mind mind to to hard hard work work can can be be fun. fun. AndAnd while you’re having fun putting your brain through its paces, you’ll while you’re having fun putting your brain through its paces, you’ll also be pointing the Lotus of your life toward success.

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BEYOND IQ

BEYOND IQ

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I was at a thing the other night with a handful of other Boulder, I was at a thing the other night with a handful of other Boulder, Colo-rado, authors, ostensibly to talk about writerly stuff but actually to rado, authors, ostensibly to talk about writerly stuff but actually to drink beer and swap stories. After a couple of

drink beer and swap stories. After a couple of Left Hand Brewing WakeLeft Hand Brewing Wake Up Dead Stouts, a defense lawyer turned biographer turned crime Up Dead Stouts, a defense lawyer turned biographer turned crime writer named Mark told a story about his book in progress, the fifth in writer named Mark told a story about his book in progress, the fifth in a series of crime novels. Set in south Florida, it features hit men with a series of crime novels. Set in south Florida, it features hit men with guns, a corpse filled with bullets, and more than a pinch of courtroom guns, a corpse filled with bullets, and more than a pinch of courtroom drama. Mark talked about how he’d peppered the first

two-drama. Mark talked about how he’d peppered the first two- thirds  thirds ofof  the

 the book book with with clues clues leading leading to to his his meticulously meticulously pre-pre-planned conclu-planned conclu-sion that, in hindsight and in the great tradition of Sir Arthur Conan sion that, in hindsight and in the great tradition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Perry Mason, and Angela

Doyle, Perry Mason, and Angela Lansbury as amateur detective JessicaLansbury as amateur detective Jessica Fletcher, could’ve gone no other way.

Fletcher, could’ve gone no other way. Only, it did.

Only, it did.

For a couple of weeks, in the back of Mark’s mind had been the For a couple of weeks, in the back of Mark’s mind had been the

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

INSIGHT 

INSIGHT 

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as his first four—

as his first four—not the details, per se, but the mechanism of clue-not the details, per se, but the mechanism of clue-sprinkling that eventually leads the only place it could lead: to the true sprinkling that eventually leads the only place it could lead: to the true killer. You know, the

crime-killer. You know, the crime-novel thing. One morning he sat down tonovel thing. One morning he sat down to  type

 type as as he he always does, always does, imagining imagining that that in in a a couple couple of of hours, hours, he’d he’d bebe  two thousand words closer to his scri

 two thousand words closer to his scripted finish.pted finish. But then—

But then—bang! bang!  — —something happened.something happened.

The clues came together in his head like the melding of the two The clues came together in his head like the melding of the two panels of a 3D stereogram, only instead of bringing the killer’s face panels of a 3D stereogram, only instead of bringing the killer’s face into focus (spoiler alert!), the sum of these clues was no killer at all. into focus (spoiler alert!), the sum of these clues was no killer at all. The hit men found an

already-The hit men found an already-dead body and claimed the crime indead body and claimed the crime in order to get paid. Mark described his absolute confidence that the left order to get paid. Mark described his absolute confidence that the left  turn he took meshed with the interconnected web of clues woven into  turn he took meshed with the interconnected web of clues woven into

his novel’s previous two hundred pages. his novel’s previous two hundred pages.

He just knew it was right. And in this state of knowing, the words He just knew it was right. And in this state of knowing, the words in his head outpaced his typing skills. He found himself attacking the in his head outpaced his typing skills. He found himself attacking the keyboard in a frenzy to

keyboard in a frenzy to crystalize his insight. One day and fifteen thou-crystalize his insight. One day and fifteen thou-sand words later, Mark had

sand words later, Mark had his newest crime novel.his newest crime novel. Crime writer Mark’s insight is the stuff we

Crime writer Mark’s insight is the stuff we all hope for when pre-all hope for when pre-sented with a tricky problem: a simple, brilliant solution that strikes sented with a tricky problem: a simple, brilliant solution that strikes us seemingly out of the blue. But it seems serendipitous, impossible us seemingly out of the blue. But it seems serendipitous, impossible  to

re- to re-create.create.

In fact, while Mark’s

crime-In fact, while Mark’s crime-novel insight was serendipitous in thatnovel insight was serendipitous in that he didn’t necessarily mean to discover clues clicking into new he didn’t necessarily mean to discover clues clicking into new configu-rations when he sat down at his computer that morning, the insight rations when he sat down at his computer that morning, the insight itself was anything but luck. Without knowing it, he’d entered a state itself was anything but luck. Without knowing it, he’d entered a state of brain- and

knowledge-of brain- and knowledge-readiness that made insight nearly inevitable.readiness that made insight nearly inevitable. You can learn to put your brain

You can learn to put your brain in the same state.in the same state. First, here’s why insight can be difficult: It

First, here’s why insight can be difficult: It requires a paradoxicalrequires a paradoxical mix of experience with openness. Usually, experience leads to set-mix of experience with openness. Usually, experience leads to set-in- in-stone ways of doing things. Typically, openness is only present when stone ways of doing things. Typically, openness is only present when

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BEYOND IQ

BEYOND IQ 33 you’re forced by inexperience to remain available in your search for you’re forced by inexperience to remain available in your search for solutions. Experience mixed with openness is a rare cockta

solutions. Experience mixed with openness is a rare cocktail.il. Let’s unpack this a bit.

Let’s unpack this a bit. Insight is the novel connection of far-Insight is the novel connection of far-flungflung bits of information floating around in your head. And so in order to bits of information floating around in your head. And so in order to make connections, you have to have the needed information in your make connections, you have to have the needed information in your brain already. This is what we think of as experience, or expertise; brain already. This is what we think of as experience, or expertise; researchers call it

problem-researchers call it problem-specific knowledge. These chunks of in-specific knowledge. These chunks of in-formation and

know-formation and know-how form the building blocks of insight. If you’rehow form the building blocks of insight. If you’re a physicist, your insights come from combining your

problem-a physicist, your insights come from combining your problem-specificspecific knowledge of physics facts in novel ways; if you’re a chef, an insightful knowledge of physics facts in novel ways; if you’re a chef, an insightful dish comes from knowing ingredients and techniques and then dish comes from knowing ingredients and techniques and then meld-ing them together to make somethmeld-ing new.

ing them together to make something new. The more

problem-The more problem-specific knowledge you accumulate, the morespecific knowledge you accumulate, the more building blocks you have to use when constructing insight. There’s no building blocks you have to use when constructing insight. There’s no pill you can take that will instantly implant you with

problem-pill you can take that will instantly implant you with problem-specificspecific knowledge—

knowledge—although chapter 7 on expertise can help you develop italthough chapter 7 on expertise can help you develop it sooner rather than later.

sooner rather than later.

For now, though, we’ll focus on the second half of insight: For now, though, we’ll focus on the second half of insight: open-ness. Again, this second step is why insight is dear: it’s a rare ness. Again, this second step is why insight is dear: it’s a rare per-son who can know the old solutions but keep an open mind to new son who can know the old solutions but keep an open mind to new ones. And it turns out you can make your brain ready and able to ones. And it turns out you can make your brain ready and able to link together whatever

problem-link together whatever problem-specific knowledge you have in new,specific knowledge you have in new, insightful ways. Researchers John Kounios of Drexel University and insightful ways. Researchers John Kounios of Drexel University and Mark

Jung-Mark Jung-Beeman of Northwestern University know how. They pin-Beeman of Northwestern University know how. They pin-pointed the brain state of “readiness for insight” by watching pointed the brain state of “readiness for insight” by watching sub- jects’

 jects’ gray magray matter tter as thas they soey solved relved remote-mote-association problems—association problems—forfor example: What one word melds with each of the words tank, hill, example: What one word melds with each of the words tank, hill, and secret to make a compound word or common phrase? This k and secret to make a compound word or common phrase? This kindind of

remote-of remote-association problem gives itself up to insight or analysis,association problem gives itself up to insight or analysis, and use of functional magnetic resonance imaging

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depending on which strategy you use, distinct areas of t

depending on which strategy you use, distinct areas of the brain arehe brain are at work.

at work.

Ready for another paradox? Rather than opening your mind to Ready for another paradox? Rather than opening your mind to insight, Kounios and

Jung-insight, Kounios and Jung-Beeman show that if you want Jung-insight, theBeeman show that if you want insight, the best thing you can do is to close it.

best thing you can do is to close it.

A closed mind shows up on an fMRI as activation of the anterior A closed mind shows up on an fMRI as activation of the anterior cingulate cortex, your brain’s home of inhibiting distraction. It’s as cingulate cortex, your brain’s home of inhibiting distraction. It’s as if your ACC is a pair of

noise-if your ACC is a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, and with thesecancelling headphones, and with these headphones in place you’re more able to hear your brain’s quiet, headphones in place you’re more able to hear your brain’s quiet, insightful whispers. But what’s even cooler is that fMRI shows that insightful whispers. But what’s even cooler is that fMRI shows that “these brain states are likely linked to distinct types of mental “these brain states are likely linked to distinct types of mental prepa-ration,” say Kounios and

Jung-ration,” say Kounios and Jung-Beeman. In other words, by readyingBeeman. In other words, by readying your brain, you can increase the chance of insight. The researchers your brain, you can increase the chance of insight. The researchers describe this state as the brain shutting its eyes. Here’s how to do it: describe this state as the brain shutting its eyes. Here’s how to do it:

First, turn off as much

First, turn off as much outside stimulus as possible so your brainoutside stimulus as possible so your brain doesn’t have to work to inhibit it. Once you’ve turned off the outside doesn’t have to work to inhibit it. Once you’ve turned off the outside world, turn off the inside world too—

world, turn off the inside world too—release distracting thoughts andrelease distracting thoughts and  the

 the tempting tempting golden golden apples apples of of the the tried-tried-and-and- true  true solutions solutions you you knowknow from experience. Then, the researchers say, get ready to close your from experience. Then, the researchers say, get ready to close your mind even further—

mind even further—prepare to inhibit not only the distracting thingsprepare to inhibit not only the distracting things  that already exist inside and outside your skull b

 that already exist inside and outside your skull but also any new falseut also any new false whispers your brain offers. For example, remember the words tank, whispers your brain offers. For example, remember the words tank, hill, and secret? As you look at the word “secret,” the whisper of hill, and secret? As you look at the word “secret,” the whisper of “ser-vice” might pop into your mind. Sure, it makes “secret ser“ser-vice” but vice” might pop into your mind. Sure, it makes “secret service” but after you discover “hill service” and “service hill” are nonsense, be after you discover “hill service” and “service hill” are nonsense, be ready to inhibit the false insight of

ready to inhibit the false insight of “service” as surely as you’ve inhib-“service” as surely as you’ve inhib-ited background noise and irrelevant thoughts. Shove it quickly and ited background noise and irrelevant thoughts. Shove it quickly and se-curely into your brain’s locked waste vault so that it doesn’t compete curely into your brain’s locked waste vault so that it doesn’t compete with other, possibly correct, whispers.

with other, possibly correct, whispers. Close your mind.

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BEYOND IQ

BEYOND IQ 55 insight is tumbling around in there somewhere. Your job is to silence insight is tumbling around in there somewhere. Your job is to silence everything else so that you can hear it. This process of focusing everything else so that you can hear it. This process of focusing in-ward, inhibiting irrelevant thoughts, and getting ready to switch to ward, inhibiting irrelevant thoughts, and getting ready to switch to new thinking styles makes you measurably more likely to experience new thinking styles makes you measurably more likely to experience sudden insight, which, in the case of tank, hill, and secret is the word sudden insight, which, in the case of tank, hill, and secret is the word “top,” as in tank top, hilltop, and top secret.

“top,” as in tank top, hilltop, and top secret.

Of course, this is unintentionally your mental state when you’re Of course, this is unintentionally your mental state when you’re sleepy and is why insight tends to strike in bed, in the shower, or sleepy and is why insight tends to strike in bed, in the shower, or while groping for predawn coffee. This generally held opinion of while groping for predawn coffee. This generally held opinion of

insight-insight-while-while-sleepy is more than folk wisdom—sleepy is more than folk wisdom—it’s fact. Michiganit’s fact. Michigan researchers Mareike Wieth and Rose Zacks showed this by asking researchers Mareike Wieth and Rose Zacks showed this by asking 428 undergrads if they considered themselves night owls or early 428 undergrads if they considered themselves night owls or early birds, and then having them solve insight problems. Here’s the trick: birds, and then having them solve insight problems. Here’s the trick: half were tested in the morning and

half were tested in the morning and half at night. Students were mosthalf at night. Students were most insightful when their test time mismatched their preferred time. They insightful when their test time mismatched their preferred time. They did better when they were groggy.

did better when they were groggy.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t sleep. In fact, the opposite is That’s not to say you shouldn’t sleep. In fact, the opposite is  true.

 true. A A 2004 2004 article article inin Nature Nature   showed that when you sleep, you re-  showed that when you sleep, you re-organize your thoughts. Science has known that during sleep the organize your thoughts. Science has known that during sleep the brain’s hippocampus—

brain’s hippocampus— the  the structurstructure e responsiresponsible ble for for encoding encoding newnew memories—

memories—replays the day’s experiences from short-replays the day’s experiences from short- term  term storage storage andand filters them into the neocortex, where experiences are integrated into filters them into the neocortex, where experiences are integrated into what the article calls “preexisting knowledge representations.” Insight what the article calls “preexisting knowledge representations.” Insight is the novel connection of knowledge, and sleep knocks knowledge into is the novel connection of knowledge, and sleep knocks knowledge into new configurations. The

new configurations. The Nature Nature  article asked subjects to figure out the article asked subjects to figure out the next digit in a tricky, coded string of numbers. And it turned out that next digit in a tricky, coded string of numbers. And it turned out that subjects who were allowed to “sleep on” the problem’s difficult subjects who were allowed to “sleep on” the problem’s difficult instruc- tions were more likely to reach the insigh

 tions were more likely to reach the insightful solution that the secondtful solution that the second number in each coded string was also the eventual answer. Aha!

number in each coded string was also the eventual answer. Aha!

Other insight strategies that have earned the stamp of science Other insight strategies that have earned the stamp of science

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study in the journal

study in the journal Consciousness and Cognition,Consciousness and Cognition,  University of Chi-  University of Chi-cago researchers showed that subjects with a blood alcohol content cago researchers showed that subjects with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .075 solved more

remote-(BAC) of .075 solved more remote-association problems “in less time,association problems “in less time, and were more likely to

and were more likely to perceive their solutions as the result of a sud-perceive their solutions as the result of a sud-den insight.” In an article in the

den insight.” In an article in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience,Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience,

Jung-Jung-Beeman shows that rather than anything independent and magi-Beeman shows that rather than anything independent and magi-cal about joviality and vodka, these two wonder drugs are shortcuts to cal about joviality and vodka, these two wonder drugs are shortcuts to  the

 the same same state state of brain of brain readiness readiness seen in eseen in earlier earlier experiments. xperiments. YYou ou cancan  train yourself or tric

 train yourself or trick yourself into readink yourself into readiness for insighess for insight.t. This sleepy, unfocused, uncluttered brain state was

This sleepy, unfocused, uncluttered brain state was the serendipi-the serendipi- tous preparation that Boulder crime

 tous preparation that Boulder crime writer Mark had as writer Mark had as he sat downhe sat down  to type the last

 to type the last third of his novel. Through his past work as a third of his novel. Through his past work as a defensedefense lawyer and as a crime novelist, he’d preloaded

problem-lawyer and as a crime novelist, he’d preloaded problem-specific knowl-specific knowl-edge—

edge—he was expert at he was expert at connecting the events of a crime based on connecting the events of a crime based on thethe constellation of its clues. Then when he sat

constellation of its clues. Then when he sat down in the morning at down in the morning at hishis computer with a mind free of distractions and the false whispers of computer with a mind free of distractions and the false whispers of  the way he meant the plot

 the way he meant the plot to unfold—to unfold—bam!—bam!—insight crashed into hisinsight crashed into his brain like a football

brain like a football team bursting from the locker room tunnel.team bursting from the locker room tunnel.

The following exercises will help you learn to hear the whispers of The following exercises will help you learn to hear the whispers of insight. First we’ll train the necessary brain state and then we’ll work insight. First we’ll train the necessary brain state and then we’ll work on disentangling

problem-on disentangling problem-specific knowledge from the false assump-specific knowledge from the false assump- tions

 tions that that sometimsometimes aes accompaccompany eny experienxperience. Fce. Finally, inally, you you will bwill be tese tested.ted.

EXERCISE 1 EXERCISE 1

REMOTE ASSOCIATION

REMOTE ASSOCIATION

Researchers John Kounios and Mark

Jung-Researchers John Kounios and Mark Jung-Beeman show that mentalBeeman show that mental preparation leads to insight. But what kind of mental preparation? preparation leads to insight. But what kind of mental preparation? This exercise will help you find this insightful state of mind.

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BEYOND IQ

BEYOND IQ 77 word or common phrase. For example, if the three given words were word or common phrase. For example, if the three given words were pine/crab/juice,

pine/crab/juice,  the answer would be  the answer would be apple apple   as in  as in pineapple, crabpineapple, crab apple,

apple, and and apple juice.apple juice. These are remote- These are remote-association problems, usedassociation problems, used by Kounios,

Jung-by Kounios, Jung-Beeman, and many others to test and train insight.Beeman, and many others to test and train insight. Remember, the trick of insightful solutions isn’t necessarily boosting Remember, the trick of insightful solutions isn’t necessarily boosting  the v

 the volume of olume of your your insightful insightful whisperings whisperings but turnbut turninging down down  the volume the volume of everything else so that you can hear them. It’s as much a task of of everything else so that you can hear them. It’s as much a task of inhibiting distraction as it is in encouraging insight.

inhibiting distraction as it is in encouraging insight. So in each of the following

remote-So in each of the following remote-association problems, practiceassociation problems, practice closing your mind in a way that allows insight to

closing your mind in a way that allows insight to be heard over the roarbe heard over the roar of your usual cognitive background noise. Sit in a

of your usual cognitive background noise. Sit in a quiet place and, afterquiet place and, after reading the three words, close your eyes, clear your mind, and listen reading the three words, close your eyes, clear your mind, and listen for quiet whispers from the back of your brain. Importantly, when your for quiet whispers from the back of your brain. Importantly, when your brain inevitably feeds you incorrect insight, work to quickly inhibit it brain inevitably feeds you incorrect insight, work to quickly inhibit it as powerfully as you inhibit all other distractions. Lock

as powerfully as you inhibit all other distractions. Lock away incorrectaway incorrect insight so that it doesn’t intrude on your tabula rasa of readiness. insight so that it doesn’t intrude on your tabula rasa of readiness.

Over time, this practice should increase your ability to slip Over time, this practice should increase your ability to slip seam-lessly into a state of mind primed for insight—

lessly into a state of mind primed for insight—a state you’ll be ablea state you’ll be able  to call upon

 to call upon next time you’re fanext time you’re faced with a ced with a real-real-world problem that re-world problem that re-quires an “aha!” solution. But don’t expect every insightful answer to quires an “aha!” solution. But don’t expect every insightful answer to be immediate! Rather, researchers find that another frequent be immediate! Rather, researchers find that another frequent ingredi-ent of insight is an

ent of insight is an incubation period—incubation period—sometimes it helps to sleepsometimes it helps to sleep on it or at least let the problem breathe for a bit. So if an insightful on it or at least let the problem breathe for a bit. So if an insightful solution resists your mental preparation, rather than immediately solution resists your mental preparation, rather than immediately checking the back of this book for the answer, let a difficult checking the back of this book for the answer, let a difficult remote-association problem linger in your brain. You might only get through association problem linger in your brain. You might only get through one or two problems before getting stymied—

one or two problems before getting stymied—in that case, move on toin that case, move on to another exercise and allow insight to strike when you least expect it. another exercise and allow insight to strike when you least expect it. Move into and away from these problems as your insight permits— Move into and away from these problems as your insight permits— and then apply the exact same strategy when confronting your and then apply the exact same strategy when confronting your

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real-8

8 Garth SundemGarth Sundem

fire/ranger/tropical fire/ranger/tropical carpet/alert/herring carpet/alert/herring forest/fly/fighter forest/fly/fighter cane/daddy/plum cane/daddy/plum friend/flower/scout friend/flower/scout duct/worm/video duct/worm/video sense/room/place sense/room/place Pope/eggs/Arnold Pope/eggs/Arnold fair/mind/dating fair/mind/dating date/duck/fold date/duck/fold cadet/outer/ship cadet/outer/ship dew/badger/bee dew/badger/bee ash/luck/belly ash/luck/belly break/food/forward break/food/forward nuclear/feud/values nuclear/feud/values collector/duck/fold collector/duck/fold car/French/shoe car/French/shoe office/mail/step office/mail/step circus/around/car circus/around/car sand/age/mile sand/age/mile catcher/dirty/hot catcher/dirty/hot fly/milk/peanut fly/milk/peanut  ta  tanknk/n/nototchch/s/sececrerett  th  thieief/f/cacashsh/l/laarcrcenenyy artist/great/route artist/great/route hammer/line/hunter hammer/line/hunter blank/gut/mate blank/gut/mate list/circuit/cake list/circuit/cake master/child/piano master/child/piano cover/line/wear cover/line/wear beer/pot/laugh beer/pot/laugh  tr  tripip/l/lefeft/t/gogoaall blue/light/rocket blue/light/rocket man/sonic/star man/sonic/star bus/illness/computer bus/illness/computer  ty  typepe/g/ghohostst/s/skyky full/punk/engine full/punk/engine break/black/cake break/black/cake car/human/drag car/human/drag liberty/bottom/curve liberty/bottom/curve drunk/line/fruit drunk/line/fruit buster/bird/wash buster/bird/wash fruit/hour/napkin fruit/hour/napkin old/dog/joke old/dog/joke  to  toadad/s/saampmplele/f/foootot EXERCISE 2 EXERCISE 2 FUNCTIONAL FIXEDNESS FUNCTIONAL FIXEDNESS

A screwdriver is used to turn screws, not to anchor a tent. A fan is A screwdriver is used to turn screws, not to anchor a tent. A fan is used to cool rooms, not

used to cool rooms, not blow leaves. These are examples of functionalblow leaves. These are examples of functional fixedness—

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BEYOND IQ

BEYOND IQ 99 quently needs breaking on the way to

quently needs breaking on the way to insight. In fact, in insight. In fact, in an experimentan experiment with 872 subjects, Temple University researcher Evangelia Chrysikou with 872 subjects, Temple University researcher Evangelia Chrysikou and her colleagues showed that learning to break functional and her colleagues showed that learning to break functional fixed-ness led to higher performance on completely unrelated insight ness led to higher performance on completely unrelated insight problems—

problems—breaking this assumption boosts insight in general.breaking this assumption boosts insight in general.

Psychologist Karl Duncker designed the classic problem of Psychologist Karl Duncker designed the classic problem of func- tional

 tional fixedness—fixedness— the  the candle candle problem—problem—in which you have a candle,in which you have a candle, matches, and a box of flat thumbtacks, and you must hook the candle matches, and a box of flat thumbtacks, and you must hook the candle  to a

 to a wall wall so that so that when when lit lit it wonit won’t dri’t drip onto p onto a table a table below. below. Of courOf course, these, the key is releasing your assumption that the box can be used only to hold key is releasing your assumption that the box can be used only to hold  tacks. Instead, it can also be

 tacks. Instead, it can also be a shelf, which a shelf, which you tack to the wallyou tack to the wall. Voilà!. Voilà! Another more modern psychologist, Harvard researcher Tony Another more modern psychologist, Harvard researcher Tony McCaffrey, knows how to break this functional fixation. His

McCaffrey, knows how to break this functional fixation. His generic- generic-  parts technique 

parts technique   teaches you to mentally deconstruct an object into  teaches you to mentally deconstruct an object into its pieces and then ask two questions—

its pieces and then ask two questions—(1) can it be broken down(1) can it be broken down further? and (2) does your description imply a use? “Along the way, further? and (2) does your description imply a use? “Along the way, alternative uses emerge,” McCaffrey writes. For example, take a alternative uses emerge,” McCaffrey writes. For example, take a candle. You can divide it into wax and wick. But “wick” still implies a candle. You can divide it into wax and wick. But “wick” still implies a use—

use—better to call it a twelve-better to call it a twelve-inch length of braided cotton. Now youinch length of braided cotton. Now you can see that in addition to burning it, you could use the string to tie can see that in addition to burning it, you could use the string to tie  things

 things together. together. A A study study by by McCaffrey McCaffrey found found that that people people trained trained inin his

generic-his generic-parts technique solved 67 percent more insight problemsparts technique solved 67 percent more insight problems  than untrained subjects.

 than untrained subjects.

Lack of functional fixedness is also the genius of the TV character Lack of functional fixedness is also the genius of the TV character MacGyver. For example, in season one, episode four, MacGyver uses a MacGyver. For example, in season one, episode four, MacGyver uses a map as a peashooter, a sled, to catch and retrieve a key from the far map as a peashooter, a sled, to catch and retrieve a key from the far side of a door, and to patch a hole

side of a door, and to patch a hole in a hot-in a hot-air balloon. Here are furtherair balloon. Here are further examples from the MacGyver crisis list. In

examples from the MacGyver crisis list. In each problem, practice Tonyeach problem, practice Tony McCaffrey’s

generic-McCaffrey’s generic-parts technique to divest the objects of the com-parts technique to divest the objects of the com-mon uses implied by their names. Without fixed functions, insightful mon uses implied by their names. Without fixed functions, insightful

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10

10 Garth SundemGarth Sundem

1. MacGyver needs to power a rowboat. He has a forked branch and a 1. MacGyver needs to power a rowboat. He has a forked branch and a sleeping bag packed in its sack.

sleeping bag packed in its sack.

2. There’s a hole in a

2. There’s a hole in a rubber fuel line! MacGyver has to repair it with arubber fuel line! MacGyver has to repair it with a knife and ballpoint pen.

knife and ballpoint pen.

3. MacGyver needs to move a tub of diamonds from a building’s second 3. MacGyver needs to move a tub of diamonds from a building’s second floor into the trunk of his car. He has a rain gutter and a lampshade. floor into the trunk of his car. He has a rain gutter and a lampshade.

4. MacGyver has a scarf and a rock. How can he unseat a bad guy from 4. MacGyver has a scarf and a rock. How can he unseat a bad guy from his horse?

his horse?

5. From fifty yards away, how can MacGyver see the numeric code bad 5. From fifty yards away, how can MacGyver see the numeric code bad guys type to enter a building, using a newspaper, a magnifying glass, guys type to enter a building, using a newspaper, a magnifying glass, and a watch crystal?

and a watch crystal?

6. MacGyver wants a doorknob to turn in about five minutes, when he’s 6. MacGyver wants a doorknob to turn in about five minutes, when he’s long gone. He has water, two small plastic bags, and fishing line.

long gone. He has water, two small plastic bags, and fishing line.

7. MacGyver has to plug the slow leaks in an empty car radiator using 7. MacGyver has to plug the slow leaks in an empty car radiator using only water and eggs.

only water and eggs.

8. MacGyver must use a garden hose and a rake to scale a wall. 8. MacGyver must use a garden hose and a rake to scale a wall.

9. How can MacGyver use a soccer ball, newspaper, cotton balls, olive 9. How can MacGyver use a soccer ball, newspaper, cotton balls, olive oil, and a match to make a flying signal?

oil, and a match to make a flying signal?

10. MacGyver has a bicycle and must shoot a ball bearing with enough 10. MacGyver has a bicycle and must shoot a ball bearing with enough speed to generate a spark.

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BEYOND IQ BEYOND IQ 1111 EXERCISE 3 EXERCISE 3 REBUS ROUNDUP REBUS ROUNDUP

Rebus puzzles use pictures or spatial arrangements to represent Rebus puzzles use pictures or spatial arrangements to represent words or parts of words. The answers are usually common phrases, words or parts of words. The answers are usually common phrases, as in XQQME translated into “excuse me.” James MacGregor and John as in XQQME translated into “excuse me.” James MacGregor and John Cunningham of the

Cunningham of the University of Victoria, British Columbia, write that,University of Victoria, British Columbia, write that, “Solving a rebus requires breaking implicit assumptions of normal “Solving a rebus requires breaking implicit assumptions of normal reading, similar to the restructuring required in insight.” In other reading, similar to the restructuring required in insight.” In other words, rebuses force us to draw on

problem-words, rebuses force us to draw on problem-specific knowledge—specific knowledge— language and reading—

language and reading—in a new, unfamiliar fashion. On in a new, unfamiliar fashion. On the next page,the next page, MacGregor offers the rebus puzzles used in a 2009 article for the

MacGregor offers the rebus puzzles used in a 2009 article for the Jour- Jour-  nal of Creative Behavior.

nal of Creative Behavior.  Like the previous exercise, breaking these  Like the previous exercise, breaking these assumptions of normal language use on the page will help you learn assumptions of normal language use on the page will help you learn  to break

 to break similar assimilar assumptions sumptions when you when you commute, commute, cook, placook, play chess, y chess, oror construct.

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12

12 Garth SundemGarth Sundem

Used by permission of James Ma

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BEYOND IQ

BEYOND IQ 1313

EXERCISE 4 EXERCISE 4

INSIGHT FINAL EXAM INSIGHT FINAL EXAM

In 2003, Mark

Jung-In 2003, Mark Jung-Beeman and Edward Bowden tested 144 remote-Beeman and Edward Bowden tested 144 remote-association problems with 289 Northwestern University undergrads to association problems with 289 Northwestern University undergrads to discover which problems were most difficult. Once you’ve spent some discover which problems were most difficult. Once you’ve spent some  time training

 time training yourself in yourself in the art the art of insight, of insight, put your put your knowledge to theknowledge to the  test

 test with with the the researchers’ ten researchers’ ten hardest hardest remote-remote-association problems,association problems, solved by no more than 3 percent of students in a

fifteen-solved by no more than 3 percent of students in a fifteen-second timesecond time limit. Rather than rushing as in the test at Northwestern, try one at a limit. Rather than rushing as in the test at Northwestern, try one at a  time. Memorize the

 time. Memorize the three terms and then three terms and then if a solution isn’t immeif a solution isn’t immediate,diate, let the terms sit. Sleep on it. Come back to them groggy. And see if the let the terms sit. Sleep on it. Come back to them groggy. And see if the  training in this section can help insight strike.*

 training in this section can help insight strike.*

board/blade/back board/blade/back land/hand/house land/hand/house hungry/order/belt hungry/order/belt forward/flush/razor forward/flush/razor shadow/chart/drop shadow/chart/drop way/ground/weather way/ground/weather cast/side/jump cast/side/jump back/step/screen back/step/screen reading/service/stick reading/service/stick over/plant/horse over/plant/horse

* Courtesy of Mark

Jung-* Courtesy of Mark Jung-Beeman, “Normative Data for 144 Compound RemoteBeeman, “Normative Data for 144 Compound Remote Association Problems,”

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