Perhaps the most striking effect of the teaching of the
CoRT [Cognitive Research
Trust] Thinking
Lessons in school is a change in self-image. Before the
use of the lessons there seem to be two self-images. The
first one is “I am intelligent,” which means that exams
can be passed, the teacher’s questions can be answered and
school is a success area. The second one is “I am not
intelligent” and school is a waste of time and lessons are
boring. After the CoRT lessons there is a change to a
single self-image: “I am a thinker.” This is a
constructive and positive image: “I am able to think about
things, my ideas have value, I can listen to others.” The
“intelligent” or “not-intelligent” self-images are value
images which must be defended. The “thinker” image is an
operating image which is operated rather than defended.
Note that the self-image of a thinker does not have to
include the adjective “good.”
-- Edward de Bono, De Bono’s Thinking Course, p. 9