How to identify an intelligent person, according to psychology

IQ, traditionally used to measure intelligence, evolved to include skills such as critical thinking and creativity, redefining the concept today.

For decades, the concept of intelligence was dominated by a single number: the intelligence quotient (IQ). However, over time, psychological science has expanded this view, exploring how critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and introspection are also part of the profile of a brilliant mind.

Understanding how intelligence is measured and its most common manifestations allows us to dispel prejudices and reframe what it means to be intelligent in the 21st century.

How Intelligence Is Measured

The intelligence quotient (IQ) is obtained through standardized tests that measure cognitive skills such as reasoning, verbal comprehension, memory, and problem-solving. The average score is 100, with two-thirds of adults scoring between 85 and 115.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Albert Binet and Théodore Simon developed the first intelligence test in France to distinguish between children with mental retardation and those with average intelligence but poor academic performance. This test was adapted for the United States in 1916 by Lewis Terman of Stanford University.

Thus was born the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, now in its fifth edition. This test assesses different areas: knowledge, quantitative reasoning, working memory, fluid reasoning, and visual-spatial processing.

Since the 1950s, with David Wechsler's tests, comparisons between individuals of the same age became the norm for calculating IQ. As psychologist Alex Figueroba explained, "two-thirds of the population have a normal IQ, that is, between approximately 85 and 115. Scores between 115 and 130 are considered slightly high" (Psychology and Mind).

Despite the precision of these metrics, scientists agree that IQ is not synonymous with intelligence. Binet himself stated that intelligence was more of a form of judgment. Along these lines, psychologist Robert J. Sternberg proposed the concept of successful intelligence, which he defined as "the intentional ability to adapt to different environments, shape and select them, and to achieve one's own purposes and those of our society and culture."

                                                                  

 

What are the characteristics of intelligent people, according to psychology experts?

Beyond numbers, science has identified a series of psychological and behavioral traits common in people who stand out for their intelligence. These attributes do not always correlate with academic achievement, but rather with the way they face everyday challenges and process information.

One of the most recurrent traits is open-mindedness. A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology found that this trait is linked to divergent thinking, aesthetic sensitivity, intellectual curiosity, and the acceptance of non-traditional values.

Curiosity also occupies a central place. The journal Neuron reported that greater curiosity is associated with better memory and a high learning capacity, due to the activation of neural circuits related to pleasure.

Another key characteristic is creativity, which is based on neural systems similar to those of intelligence, according to a study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. This link explains the existence of specific intelligences such as musical intelligence or bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, proposed by Howard Gardner.

Intelligent people also learn from their mistakes and demonstrate high adaptability. Einstein's phrase, "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change," illustrates this quality. Sternberg, in his theory of adaptive intelligence, emphasized the importance of flexibility in the face of new or adverse situations.

Emotional intelligence is also an essential part of the profile. This includes the ability to appropriately manage one's emotions and develop empathy for others. Expressing emotions without repression, perceiving emotional signals from the environment, and reacting accordingly is a sign of intellectual maturity.

 Another notable trait is awareness of one's own limitations. In contrast to those who overestimate their abilities, studies by Justin Kruger and David Dunning showed that more competent people tend to underestimate their performance, a phenomenon known as the Dunning-Kruger effect.

A sense of humor, especially dark humor, is also linked to higher IQ levels. Austrian researchers, in a 2017 study, found that those who appreciate this type of humor tend to have more developed verbal and abstract intelligence.

Likewise, intelligent people value solitude and introspection. A study by psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa, based on a sample of more than 15,000 young adults, found that individuals with higher IQs report less satisfaction with frequent socializing, suggesting a preference for reflective thinking.

Finally, critical thinking crowns this set of traits. In another work, Kanazawa associated this type of reasoning with a move away from traditional and religious beliefs, showing a greater inclination toward logical analysis and independent thinking.