Most of us spend half of our time on social media which is good and bad at the same time. Recently, while I was searching for IQ secures, I came across several amazing websites. These websites help in calculating the intelligence level using a set of questionnaires. Though I don’t know how true it was, it was quite interesting. This led me to write this blog. The quest for research about the signs of intelligence made me discover the misconceptions about intelligence.
Let us first find out, ‘What is the intelligence?’ And later, we can discuss ‘What are the signs of high intelligence?’
According to the definition, published on Wikipedia. “Intelligence is the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.”
Signs Of Intelligence
A large body of research (Bouchard & McGue, 1981; Plomin, DeFries, McClearn, & Rutter, 1997) has shown that IQ is about 50% heritable. This indicates that about half of the IQ variance among people is a result of genetic influences. But, also about half of that variance is a result of environmental influences. To conclude, we can say signs of intelligence depend upon many factors. There are a few examples that are common and can consider as signs of intelligence.
- Find new ways of solving problems, quickly
- Highly adaptable and very curious
- Stay up late and sleep in late
- Trusting and easy to connect with
- Strive for perfection
- Maintain interest in many projects and are constantly learning
- Deep introspectiveness and ability to judge their own work
- Have a great sense of humor.
- Are persistent with things that challenge them
Intelligence is measured in terms of IQ. It checks the person’s ability to solve and reason the problems. IQ is expressed in terms of numbers. 100 is considered an average IQ. If a person scores more than 100, he is above average (smarter) and one who scores less is considered as less smart. However, a person having a high IQ is not always beneficial for him. As sometimes, with high intelligence, accompany some undesirable traits like anxiety and depression. These traits are resultant of overthinking and overanalyzing. At times; a person has to deal with unnecessary encounters causing extra emotional distress.
The Relation between IQ Score and Age
Sometimes I wonder if there is any correlation between age and IQ. As there are many factors dependent on age, many studies have also shown, throughout early and mid-adulthood. Let’s say till the 60s, the IQ remains stable and in late-adulthood, it often declines gradually. According to the research paper, Horn and Cattell in 1966 and Horn in 1988, gave us the theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence. They explained fluid reasoning abilities encompass the set of basic cognitive processing abilities necessary to assimilate and integrate critical information about a problem or decision. Crystallized abilities involve an understanding of culturally-based values and knowledge about the world. Fluid intelligence declines with old age and crystallized intelligence remain lifelong. Though, IQ in old age can be protected by practicing activities such as reading, games, puzzles, and social activities.
Signs of Low Intelligence
A score 70 or below is considered a low score, which is also considered as a benchmark for mental retardation. However, alone IQ scores cannot be used to diagnose the intellectual disability. Intellectual disability is most common due to genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome. It causes a distinct intellectual disability, facial appearance, developmental delays, and may be associated with thyroid or heart disease. Sometimes, complications during pregnancy might also impact brain development. In some cases, it is caused due to the overdose of drug and alcohol use by the mother. In the case of Labor and delivery problems, not getting enough oxygen at birth and injuries such as illnesses and head trauma such as meningitis and seizure disorders can also affect the child’s brain.
Classifying Low IQ Scores
Signs of High Intelligence
1. Music Lessons Enhancing the IQ
According to a study conducted in 2004. A 6-year kid who took nine months of music lessons had a high IQ as compared to other kids. Another study conducted by Schellenbery conducted in 2013. It indicated that kids who achieved high IQ/intelligence were the ones who like to take music lessons.
2. Curious
As they say, learning can never go waste; one should always be seeking knowledge irrespective of source. According to a study from Goldsmith University in London, people who invest their time and effort in their intellect can help in the overall cognitive growth.
“Ordinary people seek entertainment. Extraordinary people seek education and learning.” Benjamin P. Hardy
There is a common trait in intelligent people; they want to learn more which helps them to become smarter. To support this theory, there was a study in the Journal of individual differences that showed a correlation between people who score high IQs were the same people who were more curious and were open to new ideas.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand,” said Albert Einstein.
3. Night Owl
The research suggested that Night owl is more intelligent than early birds in case of intellectual terms. Many studies support this theory, one such study published in 2009, which looked at the relationship between childhood IQ and sleeping patterns of young adults. Smart people stayed up late and woke up late. “The official journey of the international society for the study of individual differences” published a study that concluded, ethnographic evidence indicates that “nocturnal activities” were rarer in the ancestral environment.
4. Funny
People who wrote funnier cartoon captions and professional comedians scored higher on verbal intelligence as per the psychology study conducted by the University of New Mexico in 2011. To conclude, smart people tend to have a great sense of humor.
Theories of Intelligence
Over the years, many researchers from all over the world have done research on intelligence. There are various theories trying to explain the nature of intelligence. Howard Gardner is one of the key researchers who is famous for the ‘Theory of many intelligence.’ His theory pointed out that it is in evidence to focus on the numerical aspects of human intelligence i.e. IQ test alone cannot decide a person’s abilities.
The eight kinds of Intelligence that Gardner described are:
- Visual-spatial intelligence
- Verbal-linguistic intelligence
- Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
- Logical-mathematical intelligence
- Interpersonal intelligence
- Musical intelligence
- Intrapersonal intelligence
- Naturalistic intelligence
Rediscover Your Intelligence
Irrespective of these above signs of intelligence, a person’s intelligence can be developed at any time. These are not definitive signs; there can be some different traits that make a person more intelligent than others. But, one should never forget that life is a learning process, you never stop learning. One of the best habits, I think that one should inculcate in their day to day lives is reading. Reading gives the power to think beyond and increase your thinking capacity. I would tell you to keep yourself motivated and rediscover intelligence.
Also Read: How Being Conscious Can Hive Mind And Change Thinking Pattern
