Certain types of intelligent people come to mind when you think about highly intelligent people. People who can recall random facts about everything or solve math problems at lightning speed are two examples of highly intelligent people. To be considered highly intelligent, one doesn’t necessarily need to have an extremely high IQ. Experts say there is more to intelligence than that. Many highly intelligent people don’t realize how smart they are.
A highly intelligent person can be flexible in thinking and adapt to changes. They think before they speak and act and can effectively manage emotions.” Catherine Jackson, a licensed clinical psychologist and neurotherapist, told Bustle. “They possess a variety of intelligence, including intellectual, social and emotional intelligence.
Researchers looked at the common traits of highly intelligent people. A 2016 British Journal of Psychology study found that high-intelligence people prefer being alone. Research has shown that smarter people tend to have lower levels of life satisfaction if they spend more time with their friends. Evolutionary psychology says that people were created to solve problems. People who feel more at ease being alone are considered highly intelligent as they can face problems independently and don’t need any assistance.
You don’t have to be a social butterfly to be smart. Other qualities that can show your intelligence include connecting easily with others.
Jackson says that highly intelligent people are not often viewed as such. According to experts, here are some indicators that a person is intelligent.
You are compassionate and empathic.
“There is a correlation between high emotional intelligence, high IQ in psychological assessments,”
This means that empathy, part of emotional intelligence and comprehension, is directly linked. Scott-Hudson suggests that if you lead with the heart, you have a good chance of leading with your mind.
Are You Curious About The World?
It is easy to assume that intelligent people love to read. Smartness is not about being able to read many books daily. It’s about curiosity and curiosity about everything. Scott-Hudson states that intelligent people are driven by their passions and seek answers to questions such as who, what, when, and whereabouts. They enjoy learning about cultures, animals, history, the world, and other people. Although a love for reading doesn’t necessarily indicate intelligence, it is a sign that you are interested in learning and have a curiosity.
You are an observer.
The loudest person in a room may not always be the smartest. Jackson states, “Highly intelligent people are not the ones who talk to show off their intelligence.” They aren’t proud of their achievements or telling people how right they think they are, but instead of being loud and proud, they’re quiet and observant. You can see subtle patterns and details that others miss when you can take in everything.
You can have self-control.
Self-control is a sign that you are mature. You can manage your emotions and impulses in a way that doesn’t cause harm. Jackson says self-control is an indicator of intelligence. It means that you are more likely to think before speaking or acting. Jackson says that when people experience discomfort, they work quickly to resolve the problem and reduce it.
You have a good working memory.
Jackson states that “a good working memory and general intelligence are highly correlated.” A good working memory indicates executive functioning skills, short-term memory, attention to detail, and the ability to focus and pay attention. This also indicates that you can easily switch between things.
Recognize your Limits
High-IQ people don’t pretend to know everything. Recognizing that you don’t know everything is an indicator of intelligence. Jackson states, “If they are unable to do something, they don’t pretend they can.” They can admit their limitations and know what they can do. This allows them to learn from other people and situations.
You like to go with the flow.
The most intelligent people don’t waste time worrying about things they can’t change. You can be highly intelligent if you can adapt and follow the flow. Jackson states that they are not rigid about what should happen. They remain open-minded, flexible and able to adapt to any situation. This shows you can quickly solve problems and find quick solutions.
You are passionate about things that interest you
Highly intelligent people are known for their curiosity, passion and desire to learn. A licensed psychologist says that intelligent people follow their curiosity. Schiff states that high intelligence people can recognize when they don’t understand a concept or are unfamiliar with something outside their area of expertise and are willing to learn more. “Their intellectual curiosity will allow them to want to self-educate, and read everything they can.” If something interests them, they’ll spend a lot of energy and time learning about it.