How do you define intelligence?

[Pea-n-Me]

Is it solely based on academic achievement?

Or do you consider how a person acts, feels, relates to the world, problem solves, lives their life, etc., to also reflect their intelligence?

Let's hear your thoughts.

 

[Hrhpd]

Is it solely based on academic achievement?

Or do you consider how a person acts, feels, relates to the world, problem solves, lives their life, etc., to also reflect their intelligence?

Let's hear your thoughts.

I don't base it on academic achievement at all. My uncle is a member of Mensa and has a measured (by professional psychologist) IQ in the high 160's. He never went to college, so his academic achievement is nil. But he is very successful..

I have known many people whom one would believe very intelligent and the one thing that is common to all is the ability to see and discuss the world in a complex way. They see both sides and they understand the finer points of how things work. They are a quick study to anything they put their mind to. They think on a different plane. They see outside the box.

 

[mnrose]

There are many different kinds of intelligence...emotional, intellectual, street smarts, etc.

Very difficult to define.

 

[jt'smom]

Usually, I define it as people who agree with me, lol! Seriously though, I don't think it has to do with academic achievement as much as simply being wise, and able to look at all perspectives and making decisions based in an unbiased way. Now, I don't think most people are truly able to do this because we all have innate biases, but in my mind, that is how I define true intelligence.

 

[LiveYourLife]

I have known some really stupid academically advanced people in my life.

 

[DawnM]

Grades and academics can certainly play a part. My father is one of the most intelligent people I know. He skipped a grade in Elem. school, skipped over a year in high school, and was able to combine his senior year in college with his first year in Med School. You can't do that anymore, but back then, they allowed it.

But it doesn't have to be academics. Logic and reasoning go a long way with me thinking a person is smart/wise/intelligent. I

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I think true intelligence goes far beyond academic achievement.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I have relatives who are very, very book smart, more so than "street smart".

They could easily win a JEOPARDY match. Common sense is not prevalent.

 

[Rhie]

I see it as a sort of collection of skills of critical thinking, analysis, awareness, empathy, pattern matching, inductive reasoning, intuitive logical leaps, etc. And all the skills exist on a bell curve. You have some people at one end who will never be good at various skills, no matter what. You have some people at the other end who will always be good at those skills no matter what. You have most people in the middle where they will be good or excellent at various skills through a combination of innate talent and hard work.

And people who can make up for one skill with another. I know people who just don't intuitively grasp emotional responses. But, they want to be empathetic and helpful, so use logical analytical skills to learn how to ask questions and create a sort of mental database of reactions. They "hack" the emotional intelligence deficiency by turning into an analytic problem, which they are good at. And, it works quite well, actually.

That's a really cool thing, because it means that a person can get better at any of these skills. And it means that people with ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, or other learning differences can learn how to use their strengths to help compensate for the weaknesses. There's a lot of research to back this up, too.

I don't think there is one intelligence skill that is more or less important that another. I get frustrated with the people who are dismissive of emotional intelligence. I also get frustrated with the people who dismiss academic achievement. Its all important, its all a skill, and its all something someone can be proud of having done. And, of course, not being good at an intelligence skill says absolutely nothing about the worth of the person in question. Being intelligence doesn't make anyone better than anyone else. Being unintelligent doesn't make anyone else less than someone else.

 

[ronandannette]

Is it solely based on academic achievement?

Or do you consider how a person acts, feels, relates to the world, problem solves, lives their life, etc., to also reflect their intelligence?

Let's hear your thoughts.

To me these define character and are overall MUCH more important than either innate intelligence or academic achievement.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

To be certain, academic achievement requires a certain level of intelligence to accomplish. But, the bar isn't all that high.

On the flip side, a lack of academic achievement is really no indicator at all.


To me the surest sign of intelligence is the acknowledgement that everything you know & believe to be true could just as easily be entirely wrong.

 

[Bluestars]

The most intelligent person that I personally know has never attended college. His knowledge about a wide variety of subjects is incredible and he is very successful. I think intelligence is the ability to work through a wide variety of issues in life with an open mind in ways that are productive.

 

[DLgal]

I think intelligence is an ability to learn new things quickly and be able to apply previously learned knowledge to solve new problems. It is the ability to recall relevant information from your mind's database and use it when necessary. It is the overall strength of mind and awareness of a wide variety of topics pertaining to other places, cultures, and time periods. It is also a general "awareness" of the world and what is going on in it, and the curiosity and motivation to continue learning new things.

 

[tvguy]

It's a balance. I've known some people who where academic superstars but had no common sense, and little real life experience.
They come in to a job with 2 Masters Degrees, and learned a text book way of doing things. Yes, in the text book world, 4 people would complete the task you've just been given. In the real world, you'll be doing all those tasks by yourself.

 

[Squirlz]

The dumbest people I know are those who think they know everything. Being intelligent means being aware that you don't.

 

[Cantw8]

as long as I can put my shoes on the right feet, I figure I'm doing OK

 

[MickeySP]

I know plenty seemingly intelligent people who don't have the sense to come in from the rain n

The dumbest people I know are those who think they know everything. Being intelligent means being aware that you don't.

Hey those of you who think your smart are very annoying to those of us who are

 

[low-key]

I define it on how well you know Basketball Stats

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I define it on how well you know Basketball Stats

Basketball? What about baseball?

 

[low-key]

" How intelligent a man is, often depends on what part of the country he is standing" - Sheriff Andy Taylor