Have you ever wondered if the person you’re interested in is a certified brainiac, or just came up with a clever ruse to appear that way?
Some signs of intelligence are obvious: you would expect the person to read widely and ask insightful questions.
But now psychologists have identified a litany of traits that highly intelligent people have in common—many of which may come as a surprise.
A new report with insights from some of the country’s top psychologists has revealed how to discover extraordinary intelligence.
Some telltale signs include an unyielding sense of curiosity about the world around them, a good sense of humor, the ability to recognize patterns, and the ability to adapt to new, strange situations.
If these signals sound familiar, chances are you’re dealing with a real intellectual.
According to psychologists, highly intelligent people often have a good sense of humor
1) They are very curious and eager to learn
Highly curious people who spend their lives searching for answers to their nagging questions tend to be the most intelligent, according to psychologists.
Research has shown that students who are more curious get better grades. Curious people also remember information better.
Dr. Matthias Gruber, a neuroscientist at the University of California at Davis, said: ‘Curiosity can put the brain in a state where it can learn and retain any form of information, like a vortex that sucks in what you want to learn, as well as everything around it.’
Studies have also shown that curious minds are able to generate more complex ideas and solutions to problems than someone who subscribes to the idea that “ignorance is bliss.”
Dr. Spencer Harrison, an expert on creativity and its role in corporate jobs, shared Harvard Business Review: ‘Our data strongly suggests that curiosity helps employees delve deeper into their work, generate new ideas, and share those ideas with others.
“When they are curious at work, 73 percent of individuals report that they ‘share more ideas’ and ‘generate new ideas for their organizations.’
Intellectuals prefer deep, substantive conversations over superficial talk. They also tend to be more open-minded and able to understand complex problems and come up with innovative solutions
2) They are very self-aware
Highly intelligent people are not only aware of the world around them; they have a deep knowledge of where they fit in.
Self-awareness is the quality that allows people to see themselves clearly and understand their own feelings, beliefs, and thought patterns, and how these patterns affect those around them.
But higher self-awareness is a double-edged sword. It can translate into higher levels of anxiety and an excessive focus on one’s character flaws.
A 2018 study by psychologists in Washington and Seattle found that people with higher IQs also had higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD and autism spectrum disorder.
3) They have a healthy dose of skepticism
Smart people don’t take everything that is delivered to them on a silver platter at face value. They tend to better understand that, more often than not, nothing is as it seems.
Skeptics typically refrain from judging issues until they know all the facts, choosing to critically analyze different facets without coming to a conclusion based on innate biases or emotions.
This has emerged in several studies comparing the IQs of highly religious people with atheists. One report from 2010 found it that intelligent people are more likely to have no religious beliefs – because they question statements that are not based on evidence.
Signs of a highly intelligent person extend far beyond a person who is well read. However, a common sign is curiosity
4) They recognize patterns that other people miss
The ability to recognize patterns in literature, data, nature and more abstract or contradictory ideas is a hallmark of extreme intelligence, psychologists say.
Successful people like investment giant Warren Buffet and e-commerce titan Jeff Bezos have dominated their industries for years thanks to their preternatural ability to identify trends.
5) They have a good sense of humor
A quick wit and clever puns are often strong indicators of a high intellect.
Understanding humor and being a funny person require cognitive agility that allows them to think on their feet and process information quickly.
Intelligent people, who tend to be more creative, are also better able to generate more innovative shots that lend themselves to being funny.
Researchers in Austria reported in a 2017 study that funny people, especially fans of dark humor, have this higher verbal and non-verbal intelligence.
They wrote that “intelligence, processing speed, aggression, and mood not only influence the execution of the mental operations themselves, but also facilitate the adaptation of humor processing strategies in a rapid and flexible manner.”
6) They are comfortable not knowing
Yes, intellectuals often have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. But they also tend to be okay with it and even take comfort in the fact that they will never know everything.
True intelligence means understanding that no matter how many classes a person takes, how many books he reads, and how many stimulating conversations he has, he will never have all the answers.
Highly intelligent people are able to embrace the unknown as a motivation to learn and grow.
7) They are good at solving problems
Intellect and critical problem solving go hand in hand.
An intellectual approaches challenges with an analytical and even skeptical attitude and is eager to work through a maze of scenarios.
Intelligent people listen carefully to the facts, break down the problem into smaller, more digestible components, consider facts objectively and without emotion, and determine possible solutions based on the weight of individual facts.
8) They are adaptable and flexible
Adaptability is a sign of intelligence. Smart people can thrive in different environments, whether it’s a laboratory or a cocktail party.
They are also more likely to be open-minded and willing to consider conflicting opinions and new facts as they arise.
This is partly due to their boundless curiosity to learn more about the people and world around them. That curiosity also makes it easier to embrace change as it comes.
Change is a fundamental law of the universe, and adapting to those inevitable changes is a key indicator of whether someone will succeed.
9) They are comfortable with the gray areas
A highly intelligent person is not deterred by the gray areas. Not every problem has one clear answer.
Accept ambiguity, thus British and Norwegian psychologists‘infers that multiple, even contradictory or combinatorial solutions to problems can be considered.
‘People with this mindset might develop more advanced problem-solving techniques and interests, and in turn develop a higher fluid and crystallized intelligence.’
10) They prefer substantive conversations
The smartest people often hate small talk the most. They are not nearly as interested in the weather or what sports teams other people’s children are on. A lot of smart people are just bored.
Instead, intellectuals prefer meaningful, substantive conversations.
They have the ability to introspect and reflect on their thoughts and feelings and are therefore drawn to conversations where they can share those insights and listen to others.