Convention speaker Howard Gardner to discuss the crossroads of creativity and responsiblity

In an era in which journalists shape public thought and opinion, and eneticists hold the key to the future of human evolution, psychologist Howard Gardner, PhD, wants society to scrutinize how these professionals are channeling their creativity and handling their responsibility.

In a talk at this month?s APA Annual Convention in San Francisco, Gardner will explore the relationship between innovation?24-hour Internet news sites, for example, and recent breakthroughs in the human genetic code?and how such innovations are used.

'We?re living in a society in which innovation is rewarded, but unless we take responsibility for how it is used, we could face potentially disastrous situations,' says Gardner, the John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education in the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 'The traditional checks on innovation, like religion and community responsibility, are no longer sufficiently potent or timely.'

On Friday, Aug. 14, Gardner will deliver his invited address, 'Origins of Human Creativity,' from 2?2:50 p.m. in the Moscone Center, South Building, Room 301, as part of the APA Presidential Theme on Prevention, chosen by APA President Martin E.P. Seligman, PhD.

'Gardner is the one of the world?s leading scientists and expositors of creativity and of intelligence?broadly construed,' says Seligman. 'When I think of positive psychology, Gardner is a member of the all-star team.'

Since 1983, when he introduced his theory of multiple intelligences in his book, 'Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences' (Basic Books), Gardner has become well known nationally. The theory holds that people have varied strengths?musical, interpersonal and kinesthetic, for example?rather than one single intelligence that can be measured by a single short-answer instrument. The theory has permeated American schools, alerting them to the importance of subjects besides math and language as well as suggesting new ways of teaching traditional subjects.

Now Gardner is extending his theory by exploring how some people use their talents to further their personal fortunes, while others use their strengths to further the public good.

In research Gardner is conducting with William Damon, PhD, of Stanford University, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, PhD, of the University of Chicago, he?s exploring how young people struggle to balance their professional calling with their responsibility to friends and family. Focusing on young athletes and artists, in particular, Gardner examines how increasing competition compels them to work harder at their vocations, often at the expense of personal ties or the larger public good.

He?s also studying adults? career paths. Specifically, he?s analyzing the career decisions journalists and geneticists make at middle age. 'At that point, people can either decide that their goal is to accrue the most toys, or that they have a responsibility to the wider society and the future of the planet,' says Gardner, who investigates how some people achieve greatness in his recent book, 'Extraordinary Minds: Portraits of Exceptional Individuals and an Examination of Our Extraordinariness' (Basic Books, 1998).

Gardner and his colleagues have chosen to study journalism and genetics because, he says, both fields have the power to influence society positively or negatively. 'Both perpetuate culture and can do so responsibly or irresponsibly,' says Gardner. And, he says, competition for personal fame and wealth is the recipe for disaster in both areas. He points to the recent spate of news stories sensationalizing events and spreading misinformation in the nation?s print and television media. He also notes the public concern about eugenics stemming from the latest advances in cloning.

His next research step is to examine how people can find fulfillment in their lives by reconciling innovation with responsibility. Thus, he says, his work fits in with the convention?s presidential theme of prevention, health and resilience.

In his research, and in his convention talk, Gardner plans to identify people and institutions who have achieved a balance between responsibility and innovation, what he calls 'good work.'

He plans to explore what we can learn from societal contributors such as Columbia Broadcasting System radio-TV journalist Edward Murrow, who set professional standards for broadcast news, and physician Jonas Salk, who invented the polio vaccine.

'I?m interested in people whose careers not only meet their own goals, but benefit society as well,' says Gardner.

?B. Murray