Outliers Chapter 3 Study Questions

Questions and Answers

Where does the 10,000-hour rule come through in chapter 3?

Not specified.

Do you agree with the statement, 'To have a high IQ, you tend to specialize, think deep thoughts'? Explain.

I disagree because just because you have a high IQ doesn't mean you think deeply. Some people have high IQs and are stupid.

Do you know your IQ? How significant is this number to you?

I don't know my IQ. My IQ number isn't that significant to me.

Who are the Termites?

The group of young geniuses who were the subjects of what would become one of the most famous psychological studies in history. 1,470 children whose IQs averaged over 140 and ranged as high as 200. Signup and view all the answers

How did Lewis Terman act as a coach?

He selected the best and the brightest children. He doled out a constant stream of advice and counsel to the recruits. He wrote his recruits letters of recommendation for jobs and graduate school applications. Signup and view all the answers

What are your morals and how are they significant to your own success and livelihood?

Answers may vary. Signup and view all the answers

Gladwell says that many people and companies in our society are convinced that those at the very top of the IQ scale have the greatest potential. Do you agree with this statement? Explain.

I disagree with the statement because it seems more likely for someone with a higher than average IQ and some skills to accompany it would have more potential than someone with just an outrageously high IQ. The Termites are a good example. Signup and view all the answers

Does this statement negate the significance of chapter one and two? Explain.

This statement doesn't relate to ch. 1 and 2 because being a genius doesn't mean you are going to be successful. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a threshold and how does this relate to IQ exams?

IQ has a threshold. If you are smart enough, you can have as much success as anyone else who is smart enough. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the importance of Affirmative Action at the University of Michigan.

At the University of Michigan law school, under an affirmative action program, each year 10% of the students who enroll must be members of racial minorities. To do that, the university lowers the admission criteria. White students indeed get better grades, which is not surprising, given that they had higher undergraduate grades than the minority group for which the admission standards had to be lowered. However, a followup study showed that after graduation, the minority students were doing every bit as well as the white students. Signup and view all the answers

What do you feel have been the results of this?

Judging students by their appearance instead of their knowledge or abilities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of test scores vs. quality of student? How does this relate to your own test-taking ability?

A student could have very good test scores and be a bad student. Or they could have bad test scores and be a good student. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between divergence and convergence testing? Do you believe one is more significant than the other?

The IQ test usually asks participants to look at a question and choose the correct answer out of a handful of answers: they 'converge' on the solution. But a different kind of testing is called 'divergence' testing, which involves asking a participant to list all of the uses they can think of for a brick, or a bed sheet. Signup and view all the answers

What attributes make an individual gifted?

Answers may vary. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

10,000-Hour Rule

The rule suggests that achieving mastery in a skill requires approximately 10,000 hours of dedicated practice.

Termites Study

Termites are a group of 1,470 young geniuses studied by Lewis Terman, whose average IQ was over 140, reaching as high as 200.
Terman's study highlighted that high IQ does not guarantee success without the right support and opportunities.

Terman’s Coaching Style

Lewis Terman acted as a mentor, selecting top children and providing continuous advice and support.
He wrote personal letters of recommendation for his recruits regarding jobs and educational applications.

IQ and Potential

Terman emphasized IQ as crucial, stating that nothing is as important as IQ except morals.
There is debate over whether high IQ alone indicates greater potential, as seen with the Termites who, despite high IQs, did not universally achieve significant success.

Threshold Concept

IQ tests have a threshold; once individuals meet a certain intellectual level, success can be achieved through other factors, such as opportunities and support.

Affirmative Action at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan law school includes a program where 10% of enrollees must be racial minorities, leading to lowered admission standards.
A study indicated that minority students perform as well as their white counterparts after graduation, despite initial discrepancies in undergraduate grades.

Test Scores vs. Student Quality

Test scores do not always reflect a student's capabilities; individuals may perform well on tests yet lack other important skills or knowledge.

Divergence vs. Convergence Testing

Convergence testing involves selecting a specific correct answer from options, while divergence testing encourages creative thinking through open-ended questions (like listing uses for an object).
The significance of each testing type varies depending on the context and what abilities are being assessed.

Attributes of Gifted Individuals

Giftedness can arise from various attributes, and the definition may vary widely based on personal beliefs and experiences.

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Description

Test your understanding of key concepts from Chapter 3 of 'Outliers' by Malcolm Gladwell. This quiz focuses on the 10,000-hour rule and the significance of IQ, encouraging critical thinking and personal reflection. Ideal for students looking to deepen their comprehension of the material.