Scott Barry Kaufman Books

Scott Barry Kaufman was diagnosed with a learning disability as a child but went on to study at Carnegie Mellon, Yale and Cambridge. He cofounded The Creativity Post, contributes to Scientific American and serves as director of the Imagination Institute at the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

  1. 1Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined

    Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined

    Scott Barry Kaufman

    The Truth About Talent, Practice, Creativity and the Many Paths to Greatness

    4.3 (111 ratings)

    Listen to the Intro
    00:00

    What's Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined about?

    Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined (2013) is about finding a new, more holistic approach to assessing human intelligence, rather than focusing solely on IQ. Scott Kaufman outlines the flaws in IQ tests and offers a more effective theory of what makes us smart.

    Who should read Ungifted: Intelligence Redefined?

    • Psychology and education students
    • Parents and teachers
    • Anyone who’s ever been labelled “challenged” or “gifted”
  2. 2Wired To Create

    Wired To Create

    Scott Barry Kaufman & Carolyn Gregoire

    Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind

    4.6 (165 ratings)

    Listen to the Intro
    00:00

    What's Wired To Create about?

    Wired to Create (2015) attempts to make sense of that elusive human trait, creativity. It traces recent discoveries in neuroscience and psychology by exploring the habits and practices of highly creative people. The “messy minds” and contradictory traits of creative achievers reveal the importance of habits such as imaginative play and daydreaming, passion and intuition or openness and sensitivity, all of which have been central to great art and innovation throughout human history.

    Who should read Wired To Create?

    • Anyone who wants to increase creative expression in their life and work
    • People curious about how creative minds function
    • Artists or innovators seeking inspiration for their own processes
  3. 3Transcend

    Transcend

    Scott Barry Kaufman

    The New Science of Self-Actualization

    4.5 (566 ratings)

    Listen to the Intro
    00:00

    What's Transcend about?

    Transcend (2020) expands on Maslow’s famous ideas about human needs and presents them in a new light that takes us on a path toward self-actualization. It explains the ways in which love, connection, creativity and purpose can be part of our lives. In addition to providing practical advice on how to become your best possible self, it also demystifies transcendence, explaining that it’s something we can all integrate into our daily lives.

    Who should read Transcend?

    • Happy people who’d like to lead even more meaningful lives
    • Deep thinkers in search of new insights about themselves
    • Curious souls looking for self-actualization