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0 / 30 Fotos
Empathetic
- Highly intelligent people are good at being attuned to the needs and feelings of others. They're typically sensitive to those in need and interested in learning more about people.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Solitude
- A 2016 study published in the British Journal of Psychology suggests that smarter people tend to derive less satisfaction than most people do from socializing. They're comfortable alone.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
The mouth of a sailor
- Studies have shown that swearing may display a more intelligent use of language, as an added feature that an articulate speaker can use to maximize communication effectiveness.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Strong sense of self
- A well-developed sense of self signals a high level of intelligence. This is because a strong self-identity typically means you feel secure in who you are and where your skills lie.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Curiousness
- Displaying an insatiable curiosity has been linked with a high IQ, which makes sense as it's connected with a passion for learning.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Observant
- Highly intelligent people spend more time concerned with what they're observing than what they're presenting.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Good body memory
- Intelligence can show up in a physical context, too. High bodily-kinesthetic intelligence can result in better coordination. You may also remember patterns of movement, and replicate them without much effort.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Creativity
- One might think of intelligence and creativity as mutually exclusive, as they're controlled by opposite sides of the brain. However, people with high IQs actually use both qualities together to achieve their goals.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Worrying
- Worrying could suggest greater intelligence. Research from 2015 supports a link between verbal intelligence and a tendency to worry.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Anxiety
- High levels of anxiety have also been linked with high IQ levels. And while people tend to look at anxiety as a negative trait, it helps to recognize and respond to danger. However, unchecked anxiety can have a negative impact on relationships and overall well-being, so don't hesitate in talking to a professional if you're struggling.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Messy
- In 2012, researchers from the Netherlands found that people thrive intellectually in a cluttered environment. The disorganization forces the brain to focus more.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Trust in their judgment
- After their opinion is settled on, intelligent people aren't likely to be swayed. They've already made a considered and calculated choice, which they'll usually stick with.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Modesty
- The Dunning-Kruger effect started with the discovery that the most competent students underestimated their competence because they found the tasks easy, while less competent students overestimated their competence greatly.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
A lot of reading
- Many smart people love to get lost in a good book. Plus, reading itself has been proven to increase intelligence.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Good at managing emotions
- Generally speaking, people with high emotional intelligence can recognize complex emotions and understand how they affect one's choices and behavior.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Good at keeping the peace
- Strong interpersonal skills also indicate intelligence, such as being skilled at conflict resolution.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Understanding how much one doesn't know
- The smartest folks are able to admit when they aren't familiar with a particular concept. What's more, they're not afraid to do so.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Able to handle challenges
- Adaptability is a key component of intelligence. It means you're able to adjust to new situations or changing events, which signals resilience, too.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Adaptability
- Psychological research supports the idea that intelligence depends on being able to change your own behaviors in order to cope more effectively with your environment.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Open-minded
- Smart people don't close themselves off to new ideas or opportunities. That is partly due to the fact that they won't accept things at face value, and prefer to look at evidence from all sides first.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Generosity
- Some psychologists suggest that people with higher IQs are more giving because they generally have greater resources, and can expect to recover what they have given later on. They also tend to be more concerned with the public good and joint benefits.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
High self-control
- Research has shown that people with higher IQs can curb impulses better by planning, setting goals, and considering consequences.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Thinking outside the box
- Being smart is about thinking differently. Highly intelligent people question the status quo and the old ways of doing things, which is how they find the best solutions.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Really funny
- In 2011, a study from the University of New Mexico found that comedy writers had high verbal intelligence scores. A follow-up study found the same in stand-up comedians.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Dark humor
- Perhaps surprisingly, a 2017 study found that people who score higher on tests of verbal and nonverbal intelligence are most likely to enjoy and understand dark humor.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Cat people
- While dog people are more likely to be active and social, some psychologists suggest that cat people tend to have higher IQs, as well as being more introverted and sensitive.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Night owl
- The late nights and later mornings lifestyle is often seen as the antithesis to success, but some psychologists suggest that night owls tend to be smarter.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Firstborn
- A study by Norway’s National Institute of Occupational Health’s suggests that the eldest children are usually the smarter ones. Not because of their genes, but because of how they are raised.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Talking to yourself
- Contrary to the idea that it’s a sign of madness, talking to one’s self is actually a sign of a high IQ. Plus, it helps boost memory! Sources: (Healthline) (Business Insider)
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Empathetic
- Highly intelligent people are good at being attuned to the needs and feelings of others. They're typically sensitive to those in need and interested in learning more about people.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Solitude
- A 2016 study published in the British Journal of Psychology suggests that smarter people tend to derive less satisfaction than most people do from socializing. They're comfortable alone.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
The mouth of a sailor
- Studies have shown that swearing may display a more intelligent use of language, as an added feature that an articulate speaker can use to maximize communication effectiveness.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Strong sense of self
- A well-developed sense of self signals a high level of intelligence. This is because a strong self-identity typically means you feel secure in who you are and where your skills lie.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Curiousness
- Displaying an insatiable curiosity has been linked with a high IQ, which makes sense as it's connected with a passion for learning.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Observant
- Highly intelligent people spend more time concerned with what they're observing than what they're presenting.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Good body memory
- Intelligence can show up in a physical context, too. High bodily-kinesthetic intelligence can result in better coordination. You may also remember patterns of movement, and replicate them without much effort.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Creativity
- One might think of intelligence and creativity as mutually exclusive, as they're controlled by opposite sides of the brain. However, people with high IQs actually use both qualities together to achieve their goals.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Worrying
- Worrying could suggest greater intelligence. Research from 2015 supports a link between verbal intelligence and a tendency to worry.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Anxiety
- High levels of anxiety have also been linked with high IQ levels. And while people tend to look at anxiety as a negative trait, it helps to recognize and respond to danger. However, unchecked anxiety can have a negative impact on relationships and overall well-being, so don't hesitate in talking to a professional if you're struggling.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Messy
- In 2012, researchers from the Netherlands found that people thrive intellectually in a cluttered environment. The disorganization forces the brain to focus more.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Trust in their judgment
- After their opinion is settled on, intelligent people aren't likely to be swayed. They've already made a considered and calculated choice, which they'll usually stick with.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Modesty
- The Dunning-Kruger effect started with the discovery that the most competent students underestimated their competence because they found the tasks easy, while less competent students overestimated their competence greatly.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
A lot of reading
- Many smart people love to get lost in a good book. Plus, reading itself has been proven to increase intelligence.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Good at managing emotions
- Generally speaking, people with high emotional intelligence can recognize complex emotions and understand how they affect one's choices and behavior.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Good at keeping the peace
- Strong interpersonal skills also indicate intelligence, such as being skilled at conflict resolution.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Understanding how much one doesn't know
- The smartest folks are able to admit when they aren't familiar with a particular concept. What's more, they're not afraid to do so.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Able to handle challenges
- Adaptability is a key component of intelligence. It means you're able to adjust to new situations or changing events, which signals resilience, too.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Adaptability
- Psychological research supports the idea that intelligence depends on being able to change your own behaviors in order to cope more effectively with your environment.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Open-minded
- Smart people don't close themselves off to new ideas or opportunities. That is partly due to the fact that they won't accept things at face value, and prefer to look at evidence from all sides first.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Generosity
- Some psychologists suggest that people with higher IQs are more giving because they generally have greater resources, and can expect to recover what they have given later on. They also tend to be more concerned with the public good and joint benefits.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
High self-control
- Research has shown that people with higher IQs can curb impulses better by planning, setting goals, and considering consequences.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Thinking outside the box
- Being smart is about thinking differently. Highly intelligent people question the status quo and the old ways of doing things, which is how they find the best solutions.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Really funny
- In 2011, a study from the University of New Mexico found that comedy writers had high verbal intelligence scores. A follow-up study found the same in stand-up comedians.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Dark humor
- Perhaps surprisingly, a 2017 study found that people who score higher on tests of verbal and nonverbal intelligence are most likely to enjoy and understand dark humor.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Cat people
- While dog people are more likely to be active and social, some psychologists suggest that cat people tend to have higher IQs, as well as being more introverted and sensitive.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Night owl
- The late nights and later mornings lifestyle is often seen as the antithesis to success, but some psychologists suggest that night owls tend to be smarter.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Firstborn
- A study by Norway’s National Institute of Occupational Health’s suggests that the eldest children are usually the smarter ones. Not because of their genes, but because of how they are raised.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Talking to yourself
- Contrary to the idea that it’s a sign of madness, talking to one’s self is actually a sign of a high IQ. Plus, it helps boost memory! Sources: (Healthline) (Business Insider)
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
These are the surprising character traits that indicate a high IQ
Can you identify with any of these characteristics?
© Shutterstock
You’ve probably heard of IQ tests, which are specifically designed to measure aptitude and ability. But while smart people are often defined by their outrageously high scores on these tests, they tend to actually share a bunch of other characteristics. From an insatiable curiosity to a good sense of humor, you'd be surprised to learn about these character traits that indicate a high IQ.
Curious? Click through to see if you have the traits of an above-average IQ.
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