The Intelligence Trap: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions: David Robson #133

Episode Summary

Award-winning science journalist David Robson joins Paul to explore the big ideas behind his three books — The Intelligence Trap, The Expectation Effect, and The Laws of Connection. We get practical about intellectual humility, how beliefs shape physiology and performance, and why most of us underestimate how much other people like us. From Nobel laureates falling for “earned dogmatism” to positive aging, placebos in sport, and the “Beautiful Mess Effect,” this episode is packed with evidence-based ways to think clearer, feel better, and connect deeper.

What We Cover

• The trilogy thread: Challenging assumptions to make wiser choices, feel better, and build stronger relationships.
• Intelligence vs. wisdom: IQ is engine power; wisdom is steering, suspension, and navigation.
• Sternberg’s three intelligences: Analytical, creative (multiple perspectives), and practical (people & meta-skills).
• Intellectual humility: The keystone of wise thinking; why “earned dogmatism” traps high achievers.
• Real-world traps: Why brilliant doctors/dentists can be poor investors; “do you want to be right or rich?”
• Genes, environment & lifespan: How influence shifts from childhood to adulthood—and why lifestyle still wins.
• The Expectation Effect: Placebo & nocebo explained; beliefs measurably shape stress responses, inflammation, blood pressure, gas exchange, and muscle fiber recruitment.
• Sport & belief: Caffeine vs. decaf deception; the Tour de France “glucose syringe” story; accessing more of your strength.
• Positive aging: Mindset can add ~7.5 years of life; Patty Jones, the 80-something acrobatic salsa dancer.
• The Laws of Connection: The Liking Gap (we think others like us less than they do), the Beautiful Mess Effect (vulnerability increases warmth and trust), and why asking/offering help and apologizing work better than we expect.

Key Takeaways

1. Be actively open-minded. Ask, “How might I be wrong? What would change my mind?”
2. Train wisdom, not just IQ. Practice perspective-taking, project planning, and metacognition.
3. Mindset moves metrics. Your expectations can alter hormones, inflammation, pain, breath exchange, and perceived exertion.
4. Confidence via evidence. Use small, repeated wins (like conquering one brutal hill) to reset your “possible.”
5. Aging ≠ inevitable decline. Focus on abilities, stay social and physically active — mindset steers behavior.
6. Connect by being human. Most people like you more than you think; vulnerability signals honesty and builds trust.
7. Humility beats hubris. Past success doesn’t transfer by default; in new domains, act like a beginner.

Resources & Mentions

• David’s books: The Intelligence Trap, The Expectation Effect, The Laws of Connection.
• Concepts: Earned Dogmatism, Active Open-Minded Thinking, Placebo/Nocebo, Liking Gap, Beautiful Mess Effect.
• Story highlights: PCR inventor case study; caffeine/placebo in sport; Patty Jones (acrobatic salsa dancer).

Connect with David Robson

• Website: davidrobson.me
• Substack: Sixty-Second Psychology
• Instagram: @DavidARobson
• X/Twitter: @DavidARobson

Connect with Paul

• Subscribe to The Inner Entrepreneur and leave a review.
• Share this episode with a friend who geeks out on psychology & performance.
• Explore Paul’s programs: The One-Hour CEO & The Life Code.

• About the host:
• Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.

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