An intelligent person

Intelligence is the ability that  allows adaptation to new situations, learning from one’s own experience, manipulation of abstract concepts, development in the environment using the knowledge acquired for it or the resolution of different types of problems. In this article we are describing the Characteristics of an intelligent person.

Characteristics of an intelligent person

Below are the major Characteristics of an intelligent person

When we think of a highly intelligent person, the first thing that comes to mind is someone who would score high on an IQ test or who is good at math. However, these are not the only typical traits of an individual with high intelligence. In fact, they are not even the most important.

Although there is no general consensus on what are all the characteristics that indicate that a person is very intelligent, today some of them have been identified. Next we will see which are the most important.

Adapts better to new situations

We have already seen that one of the most accepted definitions of the concept of intelligence is that it is the ability to solve problems and adapt to the needs of each moment and environment. Therefore, highly intelligent people stand out for their ability to adjust to all situations they find themselves in, no matter how complex they are.

Thus, while an unintelligent individual would have trouble coping properly in a new environment, someone with a very high IQ would be able to devise an appropriate strategy and behave in the most helpful manner at any given time.

shows increased curiosity

According to most research in the field of learning, most people stop acquiring new knowledge once they have entered adulthood. However, highly intelligent individuals seem to continue learning throughout their lives, mainly because they have much higher than average curiosity.

Some experts believe that this curiosity appears because intelligent people are able to realize everything they do not know. Thus, it is much more likely that they will consider things, doubt their own ideas, investigate, and listen to other opinions that initially seem opposed to theirs.

She is open minded

A characteristic closely related to the previous one is open-mindedness. Different studies carried out in the field of psychology indicate that people who are capable of listening to new ideas and weighing them rationally tend to obtain higher scores on traditional intelligence tests.

However, this greater open-mindedness does not mean that smart people believe everything they hear without questioning it. On the contrary, before adopting a new point of view or accepting an idea as valid, they need to find solid evidence to support them. Therefore, they are generally more skeptical than the average and need proof before changing their mind.

He is able to be alone

Perhaps one of the less obvious traits shared by most people with high intelligence is their ability to get along without needing to be with other individuals. Of course, this does not mean that they do not like the company or that they have to live like hermits; but often, those who are very intelligent can be well when they are alone.

Normally, too, people with above-average intelligence tend to be less influenced by the opinions of others. This leads them to be quite individualistic, and to have their own beliefs, points of view and ways of seeing things.

Finally, although intelligent people can enjoy the company of others, various studies indicate that they generally obtain less satisfaction than normal when they are with more people.

Has greater self-control

When scientific studies have been done on intelligence, one of the most outstanding traits among people with higher IQs is the ability to postpone pleasure in order to achieve a valued goal. In other words, intelligent individuals tend to have more self-control than normal.

The relationship between these two traits is thought to have to do with an area of ​​the brain known as the ” prefrontal cortex .” This area is responsible for tasks such as planning, creating goals, creating strategies, and the ability to think about the consequences of a given action.

Has a good sense of humor

Generally, when we think of someone intelligent, the first thing that comes to mind is the image of a serious person, working on something important and without time to enjoy themselves. However, according to research on this trait, people with high intelligence would be quite out of this stereotype.

Thus, scientists have discovered that intelligence correlates with a greater ability to create humor and enjoy it. This may have to do both with the great verbal ability that most people with this trait have, and with a better ability to understand points of view other than their own.

In addition, several studies on this trait have found that intelligent people tend to enjoy crude jokes, dark humor and the like more than usual.

You can put yourself in other people’s shoes

The curiosity and open-mindedness of intelligent individuals allow them to put themselves in the shoes of others more easily than normal. Thus, it is very common for people with a high IQ to show more empathy than average, in addition to scoring higher on tests designed to measure this trait.

On the other hand, this greater ability to understand the motivations, needs and tastes of others makes intelligent people capable of acting compassionately with those around them.

think differently

Lastly, the unique way smart people think often leads them to question absolutely everything. It doesn’t matter if it’s about traditions, social norms, or beliefs accepted by everyone else: High IQ individuals will reflect on it and usually have something to say about it.

Due to this characteristic, it is very common for intelligent people to have very different ways of thinking than usual. For them, it is not enough that something “has always been done this way” or is accepted by others. This makes them very creative individuals, brave and capable of advancing society when they put their minds to it.

This ability has to do with the perception of space and the ability to create images in the mind. This is one of the most important capabilities in theories such as the g-factor.

verbal-linguistic intelligence

Individuals who score high in this area have a great facility with languages ​​and words. They are generally good at reading, writing, memorizing words and dates, and telling stories.

kinesthetic intelligence

Kinesthetic intelligence refers to the ability to control one’s own body, both in large movements that involve many muscles at the same time, and in other more delicate ones. People with great ability in this area can easily acquire physical abilities.

Logical-mathematical intelligence

This area has to do with numbers, critical thinking , logical reasoning, and the ability to draw conclusions. People with high scores in this skill can discover the fundamental principles of an area, and find causal relationships with ease.

Musical intelligence

This area has to do with the ability to perceive and understand sounds, tones, rhythms and music in general. People with this ability usually have a good ear for music, and are generally able to play instruments, compose, and sing with greater ease than normal.

Interpersonal intelligence

Interpersonal intelligence would be closely related to the part of emotional intelligence that has to do with understanding and dealing with others. Thus, abilities such as empathy and charisma would be found within this area.

Intrapersonal intelligence

On the contrary, this ability has to do with the ease with which a person understands and regulates their own emotional states and thoughts.

naturalistic intelligence

The last type of intelligence to appear in Gardner’s theory has to do with a person’s ability to live in harmony with and take care of their environment. He would have to do with ethics and would be very present in professions such as farmer, chef or botanist.