You’re Smarter Than You Think

Abstract

Principles of Constructive Thinking You're Smarter Than You Think Seymour Epstein. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1993.302 pp. $22.00 (hardcover). In the book entitled You're Smarter Than You Think, the author Dr. Seymour Epstein explains his principles of constructive thinking, details why they are important, and discusses how to become a better constructive thinker. His theory is that people have two kinds of intelligence: rational intelligence, in which the mind learns by abstracting, analyzing, and reasoning; and experiential intelligence, in which the mind learns directly from experience. These two minds must operate together in order for people to think constructively. When we think constructively we cope with problems more efficiently, we are less stressed, and we have better relationships with others. Epstein has developed the Cognitive Thinking Inventory, which he describes in chapter 2, as a means of testing how constructively we think. In addition, he presents the Cognitive Experiential Self-Theory (CEST). This theory explains how and why we continually interpret reality through the automatic, unconscious workings of the experiential mind. Like the theories behind cognitive therapy, CEST emphasizes how our automatic, preconscious interpretations of reality influence our feelings and behavior. Epstein explains, however, that he feels the scope of cognitive therapy is limited in that it doesn't look at the overall system, only specific emotional and behavioral problems. He also feels that certain problems in living can't be treated effectively through purely cognitive approaches, for the roots of some problems lie deeper in the experiential mind than can be reached by simply correcting maladaptive cognitions. The author believes that CEST expands cognitive therapy techniques to include a range of everyday life problems, and recognizes the wisdom of the experiential mind and its role in both teaching and learning from the rational mind. According to CEST, the job of the experiential mind is to construct a model of the world that is emotionally satisfying. Dr. Epstein states that we have basic beliefs based on generalizations from past experiences, which are constructed to help us satisfy our needs. Our overall success depends on how we interpret our life experiences. The task of therapy, therefore, is to eliminate what he refers to as sensitivities and compulsions which lead to destructive thinking and behavior. After explaining his theory of constructive thinking, Epstein discusses how being a good constructive thinker can help improve people's success in the workplace, in relationships, with stress and coping, and with physical health. He subsequently outlines the origins of good constructive thinking and answers questions such as how and why people become and remain good or poor constructive thinkers. He emphasizes how parents influence their children's constructive thinking; how some children nonetheless overcome a destructive upbringing; and how emotionally significant experiences can make a child or adult a better or poorer constructive thinker. Lastly, Epstein addresses how people can improve their constructive thinking. He describes three basic approaches to improvement which include: using one's rational mind to train one's experiential mind; providing one's experiential mind with corrective experiences; and learning from one's experiential mind. …