How do you "know" if you have above average intelligence?

[Nayr]

Also I despise the "I am smarter than average but I am an underachiever". If you were smart you would not be an under achiever.

that was from the other thread...

where does that come from anyway?

then again a smart person could fail in school if they had extra issues that prevented them from being able to work with in the "systm"

or in other words they may have fallen through the cracks

I agree, external issues like an abusive home or a persons own "demons" definitly do affect a persons ability achieve. I sometimes wonder what the scientific community would look like at my school if people did not fall through the cracks and if everyone had equal opportunity to study and be their best.

When I posted the underachiever thing I should have been specific in that I meant people who were just too apathetic to try, however they still considered themselves smart haha. Thanks.

 

[Brandon237]

your here people here say it all the time....so how do you know?

The same way I know I'm above average height, above average weight, and I earn way above the average for people who live on this planet. Pick a criterion, measure yourself, measure everyone else, compare statistics.

Then ask yourself whether that makes you more worthy as a human being. Whether some number, some stat makes us different. Whether dividing ourselves into two camps, those above an imaginary line, and those below - whether that's useful, or valid, or relevant. Regardless of what you think, to do so is human nature.

Human nature is to want to win, and to want to team up with winners, and to be recognised for our worth. I have no problem with people declaring above average anything. They are just being human - and that's the same as me.

If people don't win on a certain criterion (let's say, 'an IQ test'), they usually pick a different one where they do (exam results, sports results, salary, number of friends) - and identify themselves with that camp by exactly the same mechanism - state you belong to your chosen tribe, casually denegrate, even if just to ourselves, people who do not.

We have a winner (+1 internets is your prize today).

Spoiler: That is 50 full exa-bytes on that disc, I swear it

This idea works, people are capable of comparing themselves without THAT massive a bias. I for instance, know that I am terrible at ball sports in all its shapes and forms, I know my ability to speak my second language, afrikaans, is next to non-existent, I know that my ability to retain, analyse, and understand information as well as think logically is decently above average. I know that despite not working too hard, I can easily, in school, outperform many people who work twice as hard. These are observations, and things that I have been told time and again. My classes uses me as a benchmark for all three of my chosen subjects -.- IT, Science, Geography and AP maths too (extra subject) I am used as the top of the scale for other people. It is sad sometimes, but I would be lying if I said I didn't like the recognition

And I know that I have many many flaws and there are many many things that many other people far surpass me in, physically I am average average, with bad skin. Artistically I am useless, I have no talent in art, and the only time I ever did well in art was when I could do something more design and less talent-orientated.

Most people have some area they are at least somewhere near good in, and they will let that be known, and they will want to put themselves with other people who are the same, everyone does it, and the fact that you are using a computer and able to spell shows that you are likely more educated than a decent part of the population as is, and intelligent people rarely pop up out of nowhere without some stimuli like technology, information, education et cetera.

 

[sms_117b]

Since I've been out of education, I've found the people with above average intelligence can do at least one of to things. They can explain a complicated theory in such a way Needs a "that" here, sentence fragment most people without the same prior education can understand it and/or they can use what they already know to solve a perplexing problem.

I can do one of these, I tend to be able to make people understand chemistry and physics and whatnot, but I'm not so good with the application of what I know, well not qickly anyway.

I can't resist the irony of this Grammar-Nazi attack. Bolded your mistakes. Most notably you used the wrong two.

I just love it when people muddle the English language whilst talking about their intelligence.

Light Amplification is a Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

My free time is spent mostly in physics emulators...

I'm apparently in the top 0.1% knowledge group in science and top 3 percentile in maths in Australia...So that's above average, according to the Nationalized testing system.

I do believe I've said somewhere on here I'm dyslexic, but those mistakes I should have picked up with a skim read after. The current wireless keyboard likes to miss letters out whilst I'm typing, especially if my mobile is near the receiver, it's why I changed back to a wired keyboard until my ex spilt OJ all over it

 

[Sordak]

you dont. and 99% of people here dont have above average intellect. also average intellect isnt alot these days.

 

[Nayr]

I hypothesize that intelligence is permanently dynamic, within the physical boundaries of your brain. Which means that I think people can learn how to... well, gain intelligence. Like several other people said in this thread, there are several different parts to intelligence, and all of those can be subject to change should the person work at changing them. Basically, you can learn how to learn better, or how to improve your memory (something which I would really need), and to develop the ability to analyze in greater detail.

I was thinking this after reading another thread. It is one thing to think you are above average intelligence, but just because you have above average marks in high school means nothing. Being above average intelligence is/should be subject to opinion of your peers, not a general IQ test. As well testing is not always accurate, many brilliant people have testing anxiety or other issues which affect their testing ability while not reflecting how bright they may in fact be.

Also in my opinion intelligent people are the ones who do not admit to it. I can list all my credentials and try to make myself look "above average" but I know where I stand and I don't need to talk it up for an ego boost.

Also there is the saying you can be a big fish in a little pond or a small fish in a big pond. It depends on your surroundings, just because you are the best in that little pond does not mean you will even make average in the big pond.

Also I despise the "I am smarter than average but I am an underachiever". If you were smart you would not be an under achiever.

Oh boy, you're really going to hate me, because everyone tells me I am a genius, but everyone also knows I can't be pushed to do fuck-all for my grades, damn stubbornness.

haha I try to not hate anyone, just a pet peeve of mine. I believe more in ability than intelligence. Since intelligence is so narrow. I like what you said about the learning to learn better, I agree completely, that is sort of the "ability" thing I believe in. People start out at different abilities but I believe people have the potential to better how they comprehend and how they analyze.

Also you may not have found what drives you. I know I used to be very apathetic towards school then I found what makes me passionate in school. It does not have to be school either that you need to have a passion for, if you are the best mechanic you are still very intelligent in my opinion.

 

[Hagi]

speaking of volbabuary...

I dont think it had anything to do with being overly smart, just knowing words...I also read a bit which may have helped

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be an ass, but I found this hilarious. Anyone else cracked up at this?

 

[alimarin]

I hypothesize that intelligence is permanently dynamic, within the physical boundaries of your brain. Which means that I think people can learn how to... well, gain intelligence. Like several other people said in this thread, there are several different parts to intelligence, and all of those can be subject to change should the person work at changing them. Basically, you can learn how to learn better, or how to improve your memory (something which I would really need), and to develop the ability to analyze in greater detail.

I was thinking this after reading another thread. It is one thing to think you are above average intelligence, but just because you have above average marks in high school means nothing. Being above average intelligence is/should be subject to opinion of your peers, not a general IQ test. As well testing is not always accurate, many brilliant people have testing anxiety or other issues which affect their testing ability while not reflecting how bright they may in fact be.

Also in my opinion intelligent people are the ones who do not admit to it. I can list all my credentials and try to make myself look "above average" but I know where I stand and I don't need to talk it up for an ego boost.

Also there is the saying you can be a big fish in a little pond or a small fish in a big pond. It depends on your surroundings, just because you are the best in that little pond does not mean you will even make average in the big pond.

Also I despise the "I am smarter than average but I am an underachiever". If you were smart you would not be an under achiever.

Oh boy, you're really going to hate me, because everyone tells me I am a genius, but everyone also knows I can't be pushed to do fuck-all for my grades, damn stubbornness.

haha I try to not hate anyone, just a pet peeve of mine. I believe more in ability than intelligence. Since intelligence is so narrow. I like what you said about the learning to learn better, I agree completely, that is sort of the "ability" thing I believe in. People start out at different abilities but I believe people have the potential to better how they comprehend and how they analyze.

Also you may not have found what drives you. I know I used to be very apathetic towards school then I found what makes me passionate in school. It does not have to be school either that you need to have a passion for, if you are the best mechanic you are still very intelligent in my opinion.

As soon as the CryEngine 3 SDK is released, I'm going to be making a video game, what does that count as?

 

[Nayr]

I hypothesize that intelligence is permanently dynamic, within the physical boundaries of your brain. Which means that I think people can learn how to... well, gain intelligence. Like several other people said in this thread, there are several different parts to intelligence, and all of those can be subject to change should the person work at changing them. Basically, you can learn how to learn better, or how to improve your memory (something which I would really need), and to develop the ability to analyze in greater detail.

I was thinking this after reading another thread. It is one thing to think you are above average intelligence, but just because you have above average marks in high school means nothing. Being above average intelligence is/should be subject to opinion of your peers, not a general IQ test. As well testing is not always accurate, many brilliant people have testing anxiety or other issues which affect their testing ability while not reflecting how bright they may in fact be.

Also in my opinion intelligent people are the ones who do not admit to it. I can list all my credentials and try to make myself look "above average" but I know where I stand and I don't need to talk it up for an ego boost.

Also there is the saying you can be a big fish in a little pond or a small fish in a big pond. It depends on your surroundings, just because you are the best in that little pond does not mean you will even make average in the big pond.

Also I despise the "I am smarter than average but I am an underachiever". If you were smart you would not be an under achiever.

Oh boy, you're really going to hate me, because everyone tells me I am a genius, but everyone also knows I can't be pushed to do fuck-all for my grades, damn stubbornness.

haha I try to not hate anyone, just a pet peeve of mine. I believe more in ability than intelligence. Since intelligence is so narrow. I like what you said about the learning to learn better, I agree completely, that is sort of the "ability" thing I believe in. People start out at different abilities but I believe people have the potential to better how they comprehend and how they analyze.

Also you may not have found what drives you. I know I used to be very apathetic towards school then I found what makes me passionate in school. It does not have to be school either that you need to have a passion for, if you are the best mechanic you are still very intelligent in my opinion.

As soon as the CryEngine 3 SDK is released, I'm going to be making a video game, what does that count as?

It depends on your peers. I think that's really cool, I know I can't do that. But where you stand with your peers and how they view the quality of your work is how that sort of thing would be measured. If you are talented at it, of course you are intelligent at that thing. But then again, I have no idea how to do any that works and where you stand with your peers. If you were to send me a research paper in like microbiology maybe then I could say where I count that haha.

But because you don't strive and work hard in like school does not mean you don't work hard at something else. I wouldn't say you are lazy when you plan on making a video game haha.

 

[Dr_Baron_von_Evilsatan]

All I know is that I know nothing.

Intelligence will always be subjective and heavily influenced by one's bias. I bet most of the escapist would label me as 'stupid' just for being an American conservative.

 

[Jaffinnegan]

Being on a Forum where everyone else likes "Final Fantasy" and "Sonic".......OH WAIT!!!!!

 

[alimarin]

All I know is that I know nothing.

Intelligence will always be subjective and heavily influenced by one's bias. I bet most of the escapist would label me as 'stupid' just for being an American conservative.

Well, being American is always a negative, but someone's political view should never be discriminated via prejudice.

I'm an American, and I am sad to say that the country has seen better days.

 

[CrystalShadow]

I can't think of too many ways you can really tell.

Being at school you can compare grades, and if you've done IQ tests you would tend to know. (because IQ tests are supposed to be normalised to 100, if you have an IQ over 100 you are 'above average' by definition - Assuming the IQ test in question hasn't somehow become skewed or inaccurate.)


There are certainly other possible indicators (like the kind of words you use, and the relative amount of knowledge you seem to have), but much of that isn't very reliable.

(But to be fair, I don't think IQ tests are all that reliable either.)

 

[lord.jeff]

You either have average intelligence or you're a douche, not saying becoming smart makes you a douche, but assuming you know more then aqny average person does make you one. I can't believe no one realizes this, it's like I'm the only intelligent person ever.

 

[Manji187]

I could try and explain how I know, but most of you won't understand because you only have average inteligence...

Quality humour...a good sign of intelligence .

Inteligence huh....you must've done that on purpose to bait people like me.

 

[Vault101]

speaking of volbabuary...

I dont think it had anything to do with being overly smart, just knowing words...I also read a bit which may have helped

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be an ass, but I found this hilarious. Anyone else cracked up at this?

.....ok that is kind of funny

yeah my spelling is bad (mostly because I rush my typing) anyway my vocab...what ever you call it isnt that great, but you get what I was trying to explain

anyway well played

 

[ChupathingyX]

.....ok that is kind of funny

yeah my spelling is bad (mostly because I rush my typing) anyway my vocab...what ever you call it isnt that great, but you get what I was trying to explain

anyway well played

Can't you just, I don't know, copy/paste your post onto Word and check your spelling? If you can't be bothered holding down "shift" just to type a capital letter then just let your computer do it for you.

OT: This doesn't necessarily make me more intelligent, but I have much better general knowledge than most people at my school. In year 10 I was the only student who knew who Stalin was and the only one who knew that Emperor Hirohito didn't commit suicide after WWII, even my teacher didn't know that.

 

[Hagi]

.....ok that is kind of funny

yeah my spelling is bad (mostly because I rush my typing) anyway my vocab...what ever you call it isnt that great, but you get what I was trying to explain

anyway well played

It's a brilliant word though, volbabuary....

It rolls nicely off the tongue and actually sounds like it's supposed to mean something.

It's like vocabulary mixed with February and Babylon. The vocabulary of Babylonians during February?

Anyway, OT: Knowing you're intelligent is kind of useless knowledge. If you are intelligent then you'd know you were intelligent. But if you were stupid you'd likely be too stupid to realize that you were stupid and in your stupidity you'd think yourself intelligent. So in both cases, regardless of intelligence, you think of yourself as intelligent.

More likely the distinguishing factor is self-confidence. So people claiming they're intelligent aren't actually saying "I'm intelligent", they're saying "I'm confident" or even "I'm arrogant".

Anyway, that's how I treat all claims of intelligence on the Internet, just people saying they're confident or even arrogant.

 

[Loner Jo Jo]

Besides, there have been studies that show outgoingness is more indicative of success than grades! Really, who knows what intelligence is? [/B]

.

thats somthing we all pretty much know or at least learn at some point....as in its "who you know" and all that

Well, yeah, having connections is important, but I'm not talking about that. The ability to make small talk and converse with anyone, even those people lower on the totem pole than you is more indicative of success than grades. Yeah, this helps in getting to know people who can or will help you down the road, but it really has to be with sociability. If people like you, want to be around you, you'll get farther in life. In the end, no one really cares if you're smart or dumb -- so long as you're not inept. People just care if you're easy to get along with.

 

[GigaHz]

There are way too many facets of intelligence to adequately test or benchmark average intelligence, so the whole pursuit is moot. All you can do is benchmark General Intelligence and that doesn't nearly encompass enough cognitive areas.

Just because a person does well in school doesn't mean they are geniuses. Some people are good at retaining or processing information. Ask said person to create something entirely new based on what they have learned, only a small few would be able to apply their knowledge. On the same token, just because a person does poorly in school doesn't mean they are stupid. One of the smartest people I know never took school seriously. He just wasn't stimulated by what he was taught. These days, he's a millionaire at 24 giving stock advice to Fortune 500 companies. Would you be able to call him a bumbling idiot with a straight face?

The purpose of Academics is to set people up for the real world by teaching them important life skills and history, at least in theory. Some people learn these skills in their own way or are autodidacts. School is not a glorified intelligence test even though some people seem to think it is.

The only way a true intelligence test could exist is if every single aspect of cognitive functioning were covered. This includes logic, reasoning, memory, emotional, creative, spatial, linguistic, musical, psychological, physiological, and much more. But in order for that to exist, there would need to be finite boundaries to define and measure every category. That alone is impossible because creativity theoretically has no limit. And you can't deny that creativity is a cognitive ability because if it weren't we'd all be able to create works of art effortlessly. I seriously doubt this test will ever happen as there is no practical application for it in modern times other than general curiosity and bragging rights.

 

[Von Heix]

I bet most of the escapist would label me as 'stupid' just for being an American conservative.

Just remember this... "You're entitled to you opinion, but not your own facts!"

OT: MasterofWorlds beat you guys to it by the way...

Intelligence is not how much you know, but rather how you apply what you know to the given situation.