Outliers Chapters 1-3

Outlier

Something that is situated away from or classed differently from a main or related body. A statistical observation that is markedly different in value from the others of the sample.

Meritocracy

A system of individual merit where people are judged on their own performance and abilities, not on anyone else's.

Accumulative Advantage

Understanding success as a series of small advantages that lead to better opportunities, which lead to even more opportunities, which accumulate to make initially small differences bigger, until you have an outlier.

Analytical Intelligence

The kind of general ability measured by a standard I.Q. test; comes in part from a person's genetics (born with it).

Practical Intelligence

Knowing what to say to whom, knowing when to say it, and knowing how to say it for maximum effect. A set of skills that are learned (not born with it).

Concerted Cultivation

A parenting style that deliberately fosters and assesses each child's particular talents, opinions, and skills.

Accomplishment of Natural Growth

A parenting style that provides general care for children, but lets them grow and develop on their own.

Convergence Test

A type of test which asks you to select the one right answer from a list of possibilities.

Divergence Test

A type of test without a single right answer, which looks instead for the number and uniqueness of responses.

Meaningful work

In contrast to work where you simply show up each day, this is work that offers autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward.