Following are descriptions and an elaboration of 16 attributes of what human beings do when
they behave intelligently. We choose to refer to them as Habits of Mind. They are the
characteristics of what intelligent people do when they are confronted with problems, the
resolutions to which are not immediately apparent.
These behaviors are seldom performed in isolation. Rather, clusters of such behaviors are drawn
forth and employed in various situations. When listening intently, for example, one employs
flexibility, metacognition, precise language and perhaps questioning.