The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, not of. Tomas chamorropremuzic, editorial advisory board, leadership, learning, talent management, by dr. In this blog article, i share more on how to find that balance. While which one is more helpful can be a matter of debate and also depends on the context, it is generally seen that street smarts weigh more on the scale when it comes. As an entrepreneur, finding a balance between street smarts vs book smarts has been crucial. Intellectualism by gerald graff is street smarts versus book smarts. The authors is very persuasive using real life examples. Now, its time for words and their stories from voa learning english. People who possess street smarts have a greater sense of what goes socially. The combination of practical knowledge and explicit knowledge is the key to a successful career.
It could be difficult to tell, especially for those who are a combination of both. Were talking about street smarts versus book smarts, and these two could not be any more different from each other. Sep 10, 2017 the general definition of book smart is someone who is intelligent and very well educated academically. Street smarts over book smarts gerald graff is a professor of english and education in the university of illinois at chicago. Maybe some people rely on book smarts for some answers but rely on street smarts for other answers.
Permalink motely fool has an article on this focuses on going to college as the criteria for being book smart which is perhaps narrower than mine. Usually people considered to be book smart are known as lacking in street smarts, and vice versa, as theory and practice both have limitations. Book smart vs street smart essay research paper example. I respect what graff, and x have to say and agree with them, both book and street smarts are very important.
Graff debates the common belief that having book smarts gives one an. So which are the differences between book smarts and really intelligent people. Jason may be street smart but he is also book smart. Street smart the psychology of good and bad judgment on november 10, 2015, in dr. On this program we talk about words and expressions that we use in. Academic intelligence is measured by iq and most classroom testing.
However, for some people, it could be a more clearcut answer. For many people, there is no difference between smart and intelligent, because the. It solely is a theoretical understanding of facts or ideas. Book smart people are wellread and possess a wealth of knowledge. What is the difference between iq smarts and street smarts. Conversely, streetsmart people are often demeaned simply because they are classified as those who didnt have the right stuff to attend an institute of higher learning. Whereas, street smarts refers to the experiential knowledge on things. Using your intelligence effectively in college by frozenflan on january 31, 2014 its the question weve all had in our minds as. Malcolm x obviously had the street smarts, but like graff he mixed his new book smarts with his street smarts to be successful in life. Infographic by john cook on november 4, 2011 at 10.
The general definition of book smart is someone who is intelligent and very well educated academically. It means youve learned how to take what has happened to you, good or bad. While many, if not most, people hold book smarts in the highest regard, the truth is. The more extreme and negative stereotypes are that book smart people are naive, easily manipulated, and have bad judgment in bad situations, while street smart people are unintelligent and incapable of achieving a higher education. There is no doubt in my mind street smarts kicks book smarts ass. For me, i believe whatever we are book smarts or street smarts, we still can learn something from our teacher. As an individual who i feel possesses an equal measure of book smarts and street smarts, i believe i can speak on this topic. Being street smart beats being book smart any day of the week. Nonetheless, street smarts trump book smarts any day. Street smarts vs book smarts talking about thinking. Why street smarts always win out over book smarts when it. Ive always wondered in the back of my mind what the actual outcome of this would be, so i was pretty excited when i saw your title. As a specialist in projectbased learning, i couldnt pass up the opportunity to use this network program to.
The youth made key distinctions between being book smart vs. Jan 05, 2004 the opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, not of. Street smarts vs book smarts, the epic debate continued. Whereas book smarts emphasize individual achievement, street smarts or life smarts allow for a broader definition that includes helping others.
The author claims that people are better off if they are more street smart than book smart. What are the advantages of book smarts vs street smarts answers. Being street smart puts you at the centre of the knowledge. Can someone possibly have a high amount of both book and streets smarts if so, name the person and. My friends in college who had more street smarts than book smarts were the first to receive job offers upon graduating. While intelligence has been defined in many different ways including as ones capacity for logic, understanding, selfawareness, learning, emotional knowledge, planning, creativity, and problemsolving.
Jun 18, 2014 whether one is more versed in street smarts or book smarts depends on the circumstances one has grown up under. Essay on street smarts versus book smarts 706 words 3 pages. So, my fellow book smart people, bear in mind that haters gonna hate and graters gonna grate. The difference between academic intelligence book smarts and practical intelligence street smarts was first define in terms of the tasks involved neisser, 1976. Simply put, a person who has book smarts is someone who is intelligent and well educated academically. This distinction is a direct challenge by the youth to the dominant discourse of smartness or book smarts as it operates in schools. Nov 19, 2018 conversely, streetsmart people are often demeaned simply because they are classified as those who didnt have the right stuff to attend an institute of higher learning. Why being street smart is better than being book smart. I definitely believe that you must have both street and book smarts to be the most successful in life. Iq smarts is often referred to as book smarts, and can be described as the ability to solve problems on paper or just, in general, have a lot of knowledge. Another huge distinction between book smarts and street smarts is who is in the middle of the knowledge. To be an asset, you need to think outside the box and on a global scale. Characterized by their love of learning, book smart people are organized and prepared for any situation. What is the difference between book smart and street smart.
Just as useful as book smarts, and in many cases more so. Just to set an example in regardings to the topic, when the economy comes down to a threat where individuals will be drafted to war, street smarts will doubt less and think of strategies in order to survive through the battlefield,while on the other hand book smarts are hesitating about. Why you need to be street smart, not book smart better. Using your intelligence effectively in college by frozenflan on january 31, 2014 its the question weve all had in our minds as soon as our brains were capable of thought. Apr 29, 2018 2 thoughts on street smarts vs book smarts scolon april 29, 2018 at 6. Theyre experts at recalling, recognizing, and analyzing information. Book smarts are the facts and data you get by studying books and going to school. All answers are intended to be general in nature, without regard to specific geographical areas or. Most people who are street smart arent very book smart and vice versa. In addition, the point is the schools and teachers need to change the educational methods that they need to find out a learning method can satisfy both street smarts and street smarts. Gerald graff is an english professor at the university of illinois and has written many books. On this program we talk about words and expressions that we use in everyda.
However, they dont necessarily have a deeper comprehension of the topic. Someone who is intelligent, learns well, and educated very well academically. However, the underlying idea is that the person deals with situations especially bad or difficult situations from an intellectual d. Apr 18, 2011 street smarts over book smarts gerald graff is a professor of english and education in the university of illinois at chicago. A shrewd ability to survive in a dangerous urban environment. Unbelievable egotheres a lot of buzz about the new season of the apprentice where book smarts takes on street smarts. Book smart people have a lot of general knowledge and do well at quizzes, but they might struggle with more complex ideas. The world is full of people who are either book smart or street smart.
My friends in college who had more street smarts than book smarts were the first to receive job. Typically the tasks in these tests have certain characteristics. As an individual who i feel possesses an equal measure of book smarts and street smarts, i. This distinction is a direct challenge by the youth to the dominant discourse of. Growing up, i was very street smart but not so book smart. Business women news, founded by angelina musik, is the first digital news network dedicated to facilitating the success of enterprising women thru the sharing.
In graffs essay, hidden intellectualism, graff compares street smarts to book smarts. One of the greatest keys to balancing book smarts and street smarts is knowing that you are your own best asset. Book smarts on the other hand means being very learned in a variety of fields, but having knowledge that does. Graff explains i believe that street smarts beat out book smarts in our culture not because street smarts are nonintellectual, as we generally suppose, but because they satisfy an intellectual thirst more thoroughly than school culture, which seems pale and unreal 202. Book smarts on the other hand means being very learned in a variety of fields, but having knowledge that does not necessarily bring you some where. I always hear people refer to others as either having book smarts or street smarts. Here are 10 ways to tell you are more book smart than common sense smart. Usually, people considered to be book smart are known as lacking in street smarts, and vice versa. Whether one is more versed in street smarts or book smarts depends on the circumstances one has grown up under. Dec 14, 2005 neither book smarts nor street smarts is as helpful as a rich relative, jokes tim knox who decided to forgo college and today is the founder and president of four successful technology companies. It is great to read a book and learn about a particular subject, viewpoint or opinion. Both stereotypes arent always true and any semblance of them are only due to different lifestyles and experiences. Both malcolm x, and gerald graff make very interesting points about street and book smarts.
To the youth, street smarts are more important because they are connected to being able to maneuver through structures in their lives such as poverty, the police, street culture, and abusive others. Neither book smarts nor street smarts is as helpful as a rich relative, jokes tim knox who decided to forgo college and today is the founder and president of four. Essay on street smarts versus book smarts 706 words bartleby. Street smarts are the skills you learn by working and socializing in the real world.
Your street smarts are what allow you to really connect with others. Book smarts refer to the education, schooling and other kinds of knowledge that one has acquired. A book smart has only word experience, as he or she is a book worm. Apr, 2017 iq smarts is often referred to as book smarts, and can be described as the ability to solve problems on paper or just, in general, have a lot of knowledge. Most important perhaps, being street smart comes from experience.