Scott Barry Kaufman
Born: June 03, 1979 – Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania, United States
Scott Barry Kaufman is a cognitive psychologist and author whose work explores intelligence, creativity, self-actualization, and human potential. He is known for books including Ungifted, Wired to Create, and Transcend, and for bringing psychological research to broad audiences through essays, lectures, and The Psychology Podcast.
Biography & Author's Journey
Scott Barry Kaufman’s career grew out of an experience of being underestimated. As a child with an auditory learning disability, he spent time in special education and later described those years as the beginning of his lifelong question: how much potential goes unseen when schools mistake difference for deficiency? A teacher in ninth grade helped redirect his self-concept, and that shift became a durable turning point. He went on to study psychology and human-computer interaction at Carnegie Mellon, earned an M.Phil. in experimental psychology at Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, and completed a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology at Yale. From the start, his work centered less on ranking people than on widening the idea of what intelligence and talent can be.
Quotes
You May Also Like
Popular Books
Ungifted
Scott Barry Kaufman
A thought-provoking exploration of human potential, challenging traditional notions of intelligence and redefining paths to greatness and success.
Transcend
Scott Barry Kaufman
A groundbreaking reimagining of Maslow's hierarchy, offering insights and strategies to unlock your highest human potential and live a fulfilled life.
Wired to Create
Scott Barry Kaufman & Carolyn Gregoire
Unravel the mysteries of creativity through neuroscience, psychology, and inspiring examples of innovative minds throughout history.
Ungifted
Scott Barry Kaufman
A thought-provoking exploration of human potential, challenging traditional notions of intelligence and redefining paths to greatness and success.
Transcend
Scott Barry Kaufman
A groundbreaking reimagining of Maslow's hierarchy, offering insights and strategies to unlock your highest human potential and live a fulfilled life.
Wired to Create
Scott Barry Kaufman & Carolyn Gregoire
Unravel the mysteries of creativity through neuroscience, psychology, and inspiring examples of innovative minds throughout history.
Discover more
Creativity, Self-Improvement & Psychology
Creativity, Self-Improvement & Psychology
This plan bridges the gap between cognitive science and practical application, making it essential for anyone looking to optimize their mental performance. It is ideal for professionals, creators, and lifelong learners who want to master their habits and unlock systematic innovation.
Grow: Psychology, Creativity & Inspiration
Grow: Psychology, Creativity & Inspiration
This plan bridges the gap between cognitive science and practical creativity for anyone looking to optimize their mental performance. It is ideal for professionals and creators who want to overcome mental blocks and align their daily work with a deeper sense of purpose.
Explore Creativity, Psychology & Productivity
Explore Creativity, Psychology & Productivity
This plan bridges the gap between cognitive science and practical output for professionals seeking an edge. It is ideal for creators, entrepreneurs, and knowledge workers who want to master their mental state and build reliable systems for innovation.
Creativity, Inspiration & Behavior Science
Creativity, Inspiration & Behavior Science
This plan bridges the gap between neurological creativity and practical behavioral science. It is essential for leaders, designers, and innovators who want to master the science of human motivation and peak performance to drive real-world change.
Mind, Habits & Creative Growth
Mind, Habits & Creative Growth
This plan bridges the gap between cognitive science and practical performance to help individuals overcome mental blocks and stagnation. It is ideal for creative professionals and leaders looking to optimize their mental clarity, automate success through habits, and sustain high-level innovation.
Master Self, Science, Culture & Performance
Master Self, Science, Culture & Performance
In an era of rapid change, true success requires a synthesis of inner psychological strength and outward cultural awareness. This plan is designed for high-achievers and leaders who want to leverage neuroscience and social wisdom to reach their ultimate potential.
Human Behavior, Science, Tech & Creativity
Human Behavior, Science, Tech & Creativity
In an increasingly complex world, the ability to bridge the gap between human psychology and technological innovation is a vital competitive advantage. This plan is ideal for aspiring leaders, innovators, and polymaths who want to master the intersection of behavioral science and creative problem-solving.
Boost Mindset, Intelligence & Metacognition
Boost Mindset, Intelligence & Metacognition
In an era of information overload, the ability to manage your own cognition is the ultimate competitive advantage. This plan is designed for professionals and lifelong learners who want to upgrade their mental operating system using proven neuroscience and metacognitive strategies.
Community Voices
"Scott Barry Kaufman is one of my favorite thinkers about the psychology of getting better and growing as a person"
— Ryan Holiday
"Synthesizing Maslow’s wisdom with modern research, Scott Barry Kaufman takes our understanding of the good life to higher planes"
— Tal Ben-Shahar
"Leading cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman gives us insights and actionable strategies to successfully rise above this mentality"
— Kurt Gray
"Scott Barry Kaufman is the new generation’s leading voice in humanistic psychology, a modern-day Abraham Maslow"
— Emily Esfahani Smith
"Scott Barry Kaufman reminds us all of our innate capacity to grow from the challenges we face, even big ones"
— Sharon Salzberg
"Scott Barry Kaufman has just written the go-to book on creativity and genius"
— Martin Seligman
"Scott Barry Kaufman revivifies the wisdom of humanistic psychology for a new millennium"
— Steven Pinker
"Scott Barry Kaufman has written the masterful guide we all need to navigate the chaos"
— Tasha Eurich
"Scott Barry Kaufman is the leading researcher who I’m watching for the next paradigm on how the creative mind works"
— Peter Sims
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
