6 Attributes That Will Make You a Better Learner
The biggest mistake learners make is viewing intelligence as a fixed attribute. You’re either smart or you’re not. You have “it” or you don’t. In reality, our brains are pliable and our capabilities are often limited by our own self-doubt.
While some people may be more naturally gifted in the academic field, everyone can improve their capacity to learn by building their intellectual character.
What is Intellectual Character?
Intellectual character is an assemblage of attributes or dispositions that distinguish a person as someone capable of clear, effective thinking.
In the teaching-oriented book Intellectual Character, Ron Ritchhart explains it like this:
“Intellectual character…[is] an umbrella term to cover those dispositions associated with good and productive thinking…the concept of intellectual character recognizes the role of attitude and affect in our everyday cognition and the importance of developed patterns of behavior. Intellectual character describes a set of dispositions that not only shape but motivate intellectual behavior.”
Someone with moral character is said to be honest, fair, kind, and loyal. Someone with intellectual character possesses attributes that result in effective lifelong thinking and learning.
The attributes of intellectual character are not simply habits; they are beliefs about learning more permanently ingrained into a person’s way of seeing and interacting with the world. Attributes of intellectual character persevere in different situations, different places, different times. Just as a person with moral character would be honest in a number of different circumstances, a person with intellectual character demonstrates effective thinking in the workplace, the home, and the community.
You Won’t Learn This in School
Unfortunately, most people don’t develop intellectual character by sitting in a classroom. Many adults still don’t have the attributes necessary to think critically and learn effectively on their own. Their intellectual character isn’t flawed; it’s simply underdeveloped. [click to continue…]
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