Activity 7.5: What Makes a Successful Learner-An Interview with Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell emphasizes the idea of the cultural legacy; the persistence of cultural patterns over time.  Looking at the culture on one’s ancestors, and the corresponding belief systems, life styles, and behavioral patterns, one might predict the behavior of an individual or a group of individuals (such as the inhabitants of Harlen).  When I think about this point I am reminded of two ideas that have been discussed in our class.  One is Jerome Bruner’s emphasis on culture in his explanation of the way we learn.  Culture, those systems and stimuli that surround us each and every day and are part of our every waking moment, present a lens through which everything we learn is viewed and interpreted.  Culture instills in each of us a perspective.  This doesn’t mean that there is no such thing as individualism, and as Bandura noted cultures and nations are not monolithic, but it does mean that there are understandings that are shared by groups, and those immersed in a group have a point of departure for their learning.

The cultural norms that are accepted and promulgated by a group are then modeled for new citizens in the environment.  In this way I believe Gladwell’s theory align’s with Bandura’s triadic reciprocality.  While it is true that Gladwell may not see the relationship as balanced and completely reciprocal, on this point Bandura and Gladwell are in agreement:  we learn through observation (modeling).  Learners watch and observe the lifestyles or actions of their mentors, parents, leaders, and they establish belief systems that direct their learning.  In Gladwell’s model this modeling is primarily cultural, although he states in the interview that he does not know why these cultural legacies persist.

I think that another point that Gladwell makes is that once you have reached a certain level of ability or attainment, nothing beyond that point matters.  In other words, given a “reasonable” match between the task at hand the abilities a person has to accomplish that task, there is a threshold of sufficiency that one needs to be successful.  Beyond that, other influences that may contribute to general success can influence outcomes, but, you cannot assume that a characteristic either precludes success or will always lead to success.  His point is that we grossly overemphasize the notions of inherent differences in ability, such as giftedness or talent.  Again, at a certain point, with hard work and persistence, we are all capable.  This reminds me of the Dweck article and the new psychology of success; growth-oriented teaching.  This theory, similarly, emphasizes the ability of individuals to grow their intellect and talents through hard work and persistent effort.