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Multiple-intelligence theorist Howard Gardner to keynote Jepson School symposium on "Leadership and the Mind" March 22

March 1, 2007

Howard Gardner, the Harvard psychologist whose multiple-intelligence theory changed how people think about intelligence, headlines a research symposium on social psychology and leadership March 22, presented by the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond.

Gardner's lecture, "Leading Minds, and How Leaders Changes Minds," takes place at 7 p.m. at Jepson Alumni Center, site of all symposium events. It will wrap up a full afternoon of presentations on the intersection of social psychology and leadership, including two by the Jepson School's own preeminent social psychologists, Donelson R. Forsyth and George R. Goethals.

The Jepson School is a national center for the study of group dynamics and social psychology—the science of how human beings treat each other, why they see things as they do, and why they behave as they do toward others. Group dynamics is at the heart of leadership, and every individual is a member of many groups.

Gardner was the first to put forth the idea that several intelligences work together in human development and problem-solving. His early thoughts on intelligence have grown into a wide body of work that explores diversity, persuasion and motivation and intersects with leadership studies at every turn. In his 2004 book, "Changing Minds: The Art and Science of Changing Our Own and Other People's Minds," Gardner wrote about mind-changing in different arenas, including that of the leader who tries to change the thinking of the country.

Scheduled presentations include:

  • "Affective Forecasting: Knowing How We Will Feel"—Timothy D. Wilson, Sherrell J. Aston Professor of Psychology, University of Virginia, noon-1:45 p.m.
  • "Moral Minds: Individual Differences in Ethical Reactions to Leaders"—Donelson R. Forsyth, Leo K. and Gaylee Thorsness Chair in Ethical Leadership, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, 2-3 p.m.
  • "Spinning Presidential Debates: Fooling Some of the People Some of the Time"—George R. Goethals, professor and E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Chair, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
  • "Mind Games: How Stereotypes Shape Women Leaders' Self-Perceptions and Performance"—Stacey Sinclair, associate professor, University of Virginia, and Crystal Hoyt, assistant professor, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, 4:15-5:30 p.m.
  • "Leading Minds, and How Leaders Change Minds"—Howard Gardner, Hobbs, Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard University, 7-8:30 p.m.

All presentations are free and open to the public, but registration is required. For program description and more information about the events or about registering, please visit jepson.richmond.edu/events/forum06/mind.htm. Persons who wish to attend only Gardner's lecture should call the Modlin Center Box Office at (804) 289-8980 to reserve tickets for pick-up at the door.