You've probably heard of IQ tests (intelligence quotient). These assessments are specifically designed to measure skills and abilities.
But intelligence isn't just IQ, and here's why:
- IQ-TestsThey measure specific skills such as reasoning, memory and problem solving. They may not capture the full picture of your overall capabilities.
- IQ tests do not measure important traits such as creativity oremotional skills.
- People from different backgrounds have different levels of familiarity with the concepts and structure of the test, so low scores do not always represent true intellectual ability.
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Research review 2016 suggest people withautismThey often have higher intelligence than standardized IQ tests indicate. This intelligence is simply imbalanced in ways that can negatively impact social interactions and task performance.
However, some experts believe that a single test cannot provide a clear picture of intelligence. They argue that we need to consider not just one but multiple types of intelligence.
A popular theory by psychologist and professor Howard Gardner suggestsandThere are different types of intelligence.
They are the following:
| kind of intelligence | Qualifications and skills involved |
| linguistically | sensitivity to spoken and written language; Ability to use language to achieve goals |
| logician or mathematician | Ability to analyze logically, perform mathematical tasks and investigate scientifically |
| spatial | Awareness of the ability to use large spaces and smaller patterns, as in geometry |
| bodily-kinestesica | Ability to use the whole body to create, execute, or solve problems |
| Musical | refers to the ability to compose, interpret, and appreciate music and musical patterns |
| interpersonal | Ability to understand the intentions and desires of others, which helps a person work well with others |
| intrapersonal | A person's ability to reflect on and understand themselves, including their feelings, motivations, and abilities |
| naturalist | Detection and classification of different species, weather patterns and other natural phenomena |
However, there are some problems with this system. On the one hand, it is difficult to evaluate or measure them and separate them from each other. For example, one could argue that classifying species is a scientific activity and therefore a sign of logical intelligence.
Here are some other terms sometimes used to describe intelligence:
- emotional intelligence, how a person responds to their own emotions and those of others
- sexual intelligence, awareness of the concepts and complexities of sexuality
- social intelligence, similar to Gardner's interpersonal intelligence
Approaches like Gardner's may not be perfect, but they can help you reflect on your own strengths.
Below are 11 skills or abilities to explore that can also help you understand what types of intelligence are the strongest for you.
1. You are empathetic
Empathy, commonly described as the ability to experience things from another person's perspective, is a key component ofemotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence refers to your ability to understand emotions and express them in a healthy and productive way.
recognize one's ownemotionsit is an important first step; However, people with high emotional intelligence also generally have a good sense of what others are thinking and feeling.
High empathy usually means you can sense when people are struggling, often through subtle signs in their body language or behavior. Empathy can also appear as a deeper level of consideration and acceptance of the diverse experiences of others.
Like any skill, empathy develops with practice; Therefore, learning more about others and expressing concern for them can foster even greater emotional intelligence.
Here are sometipsto improve emotional intelligence:
- Learn to manage your impulsive feelings and behaviors
- Reflect on your emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior
- Recognize your strengths and weaknesses and look for ways to increase your self-confidence
- practice taking initiative and honoring commitments
- Pay attention to the feelings, needs, and concerns of those around you
- Observe and learn more about power dynamics in a group
- Practice clear communication, ask others for feedback and advice
- Practice dealing with conflicts in group situations instead of escalating them.
These actions can contribute to strong relationships within a team and with others. It can also help people achieve their goals and improve their overall quality of life.
2. They appreciate solitude
Do you need a lot of time to relax and recharge on your own? You should already recognize yoursintroversion, but you may not know that happiness in your organization can also indicate intelligence.
after a
Some might think this means that intelligent people generally dislike other people or have few friends, but here's another take: Both introversion and intelligence often involve spending time in your own head where you're thinking about problems , come up with new ideas and reflect. previous experiences.
The more time you spend socializing, the less time you have for introspective thinking and pursuing your own interests and projects. So you could easily have severalintimate friendshipsand appreciate the time spent with loved ones as long as you have plenty of time for yourself.
In short, you know exactly what works for you in terms of interaction (and if you assume that confidence is another sign of intelligence, you're right).
3. You have a strong sense of self.
Knowing what you need from your interactions is only part of self-knowledge.
Your personal sense of self is also related to your perception of:
- traits and skills
- life values
- Main goals and desires in life
- other defining characteristics
a well developed onesense of selfindicates a high level of intelligence, as a strong self-identity usually means that you:
- Be sure who you are
- know where your skills are
- have the confidence to make decisions that reflect your beliefs
It can take time to discover these things about yourself. Even after you've established your identity, it may still require some effort:
- Feel free to express yourself freely
- establish (and honor) your ownlimits
- Choose a path that is consistent with your values or your personal code
Haven't arrived yet? No worries:we have tipsto help you begin your own journey of self-discovery.
4. You always want to know more
Simple explanations may never satisfy you. He enjoys reading, making art and exploring other languages and cultures.
They ask thoughtful questions that get to the heart of a problem, spend hours scouring the web to discover a new interest, or take things apart just to see how they work.
Your curiosity can also manifest as an interest in the life and experiences of others. These qualities, along with open-mindedness and a willingness to challenge one's beliefs, fall under openness to experience, aPersonality traits of the Big Five.
Curiosity, in all its forms, seems to be closely related to intelligence.
On oneStudy 2016Researchers examined potential factors that may affect openness, analyzed data from birth to age 50 on 5,672 people. They found that children who had higher IQ scores at age 11 tended to be more open to experience by age 50.
If you want answers to your questions, do a search. This is how you learn all your life, maybe even more than you expected.
Instead of taking "that's how it is" for an answer, you struggle to figure out why. You're more likely to see the full picture of a given situation, complete with complex tones and shades of grey, than a flat black and white photo.
5. You observe and remember
Often praised for his powers of observation? You might not exactly be Sherlock Holmes, but noticing what's going on around you can still indicate intelligence.
Working memory is your ability to store and work with specific information. after a
In fact, the ability to perceive and observe can be related to different types of intelligence:
- Good eye for patterns? Perhaps your observations will feed into your creative work. These are elements of visual-spatial intelligence.
- Good memory for things you read or hear? This is your verbal-linguistic intelligence in action.
- According to Gardner, a deep understanding of nature can even be a kind of intelligence. For example, naturalistic intelligence can appear as an innate ability to recognize patterns or changes in a natural environment.
6. You have good body memory
Intelligence can also appear in a physical context.
You may not be able to explain how to get to a particular restaurant, but your body knows the way, even if you only walked to this part of town once a few years ago.
Or maybe you're learning complicated dance steps after your teacher has demonstrated them just once.
Altbody kinesthetic intelligencecan lead to better dexterity and coordination. It remembers movement patterns and can reproduce them without much effort.
This can make you very good at sports and other physical activities, but it can also improve your skills with fine details.
7. You can handle the challenges that life throws your way.
Life isn't always easy, and some people find its complex twists and turns easier to navigate than others.
Adaptability is a key component of intelligence. Describes your ability to adapt to new situations or changing events. This trait can also be associated with resilience, which is your ability to bounce back from adversity.
You can face the uncertainty and be ready to tackle anything that comes your way. Even when things don't go your way, you recover quickly and are ready to keep trying.
These traits emphasize your intelligence, especially when you meet adversity with a sense of humor.Investigation 2017combines an appreciation of dark humor with superior intelligence, while2011 investigationcombines humor with creativity and intelligence.
8. You have the gift of keeping the peace.
Strong interpersonal skills also indicate intelligence.
Ladenconflict resolution. Maybe you have a knack for making peace between disgruntled coworkers or friends at odds. Even as a small boy, it was easy for you to defuse sibling fights or cheer up frustrated parents.
This skill has several components, all related to intelligence:
- you read thembody languagefrom others who can provide early clues to the conflict.
- Use these characters to ask questions andlisten with empathyto get a full story from both sides.
- Encourages stakeholders to consider other perspectives.
- They help to develop possible solutions to the problem.
Getting along with others doesn't automatically mean academic genius; However, most would agree that it is a useful form of intelligence.
9. Tends to worry about things
Worrying is basically preparing for the possibility of something unpleasant. People living with anxiety typically spend a lot of time worrying, even about things they don't think are going to happen.
The silver lining to all these worries? It could indicate greater intelligence.Investigation 2015supports a link between verbal intelligence and a tendency to worry orthink about.
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This might seem a bit counterintuitive, but consider these possible explanations:
- Highly intelligent people may not spend a lot of time worrying about things they know are unlikely to happen. They may also feel more confident in their ability to meet any challenges that come their way. As a result of that trust, they worry less.
- Highly intelligent people, on the other hand, may spend more time worrying because they have extensive knowledge of potential threats and want to prepare for any possibility. These concerns may include brainstorming plans to deal with the situation or thinking about ways to avoid problems.
People tend to view fear as a negative trait, but this finding emphasizes the essential role of fearAngst: Identify and respond to threats.
Still, uncontrolled anxiety can have an absolutely negative impact on relationships and overall well-being, so it's best to speak to a therapist if you're having trouble dealing with it.uglyand take care of yourself
10. You are good at managing your emotions
We all deal with painful or unwanted emotions from time to time. This is a normal part of life. the kind like youdeal with these emotionsHowever, it can tell a lot about your emotional intelligence.
In general, people with high emotional intelligence can:
- Recognize complex emotions
- understand how these emotions influence decisions and behavior
- respond productively to these emotions
- Exercise self-control to express feelings at appropriate times
- Express feelings in a safe and healthy way.
Like other aspects of emotional intelligence, emotion regulation skills develop with practice.Start with these tips for better emotion regulation.
11. Do you have a pet?
Having a pet seems to have a positive impact on many people's mental health.
People with pets often:
- feel less alone
- find it easiermanage stress
- experience fewer symptomsDepression
You may be wondering how do these benefits relate to intelligence?
Let's say you talk to your pet when you're upset. Astalk to yourselfTaking out your frustration on a pet who is always listening can help you work through pain and stress, leading to a better mood.
It's a good way to control emotions. And, as mentioned above, good emotion regulation is a key sign of emotional intelligence.
Does it matter what kind of pet you have?
On oneStudy 2017, researchers analyzing 418 college students found that the 66 participants who self-identified as cat lovers performed better on measures of self-sufficiency, abstraction and general intelligence.
Those who self-identified as dog lovers scored higher on friendliness, social behavior, and liveliness.
after aStudy 2010When examining various personality traits in dog lovers and cat lovers, dog lovers tend to score higher on the five big traits of extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.
cat loverThey scored higher on openness and neuroticism. As you remember, openness is linked to intelligence.
That doesn't necessarily mean that people who choose dogs as companions are less intelligent. These results simply provide insight into how your unique abilities might direct your pet preference.
Certain traits associated with dogs, such asextroversion, may even indicate superior interpersonal intelligence.
Is it a sign of intelligence to talk to yourself?
Some
Is swearing a sign of intelligence?
in a 2015to study, the researchers compared vocabulary and language proficiency between people who cursed a lot and those who didn't. They found no difference between the two groups, suggesting that people who curse and curse are no less fluent or conscientious than those who don't. The exception was the use of insults related to women.
What is your intelligence?
If you want to know what kind of intelligence you are strongest in, you can take a test. Several questionnaires are available online, such asBe, based on the play by Howard Gardner.
There are many ways to look at intelligence, but most experts recognize that it goes well beyond book intelligence.
It doesn't matter that you weren't classified as gifted early on in your elementary school days. Maybe you sat in classdreamerabout distant worlds and draw them in your notebook or skip school to work or take care of family members.
These traits also indicate intelligence.
Crystal Raypole previously worked as a writer and editor for GoodTherapy. Her areas of interest include Asian languages and literature, Japanese translation, cooking, science, sex positivity and mental health. In particular, it works to reduce the stigma attached to mental health issues.