26 Things People Think Are Stupid Despite Them Being Signs Of High Intelligence

Intelligence manifests in various ways beyond traditional academic measures. Sometimes these manifestations can seem unusual to onlookers, but there’s no denying thesciencethat backs them up - genius is as genius does, and tests prove it.Someone asked netizens, “What’s Something Considered To Be Dumb But Is Actually A Sign Of Intelligence?” and they didn’t hold back. From asking questions to self-doubt, the list is as entertaining as it is long. Enjoy this collection of our favorites.More info:RedditThis post may includeaffiliate links.

Someone asked netizens, “What’s Something Considered To Be Dumb But Is Actually A Sign Of Intelligence?” and they didn’t hold back. From asking questions to self-doubt, the list is as entertaining as it is long. Enjoy this collection of our favorites.

More info:Reddit

This post may includeaffiliate links.

Changing your mind based on new facts and information.

Three people engaged in a discussion, showcasing intelligence through collaboration in a modern office setting.

“I don’t know enough about that to have an opinion.”.

A woman in glasses holding a cup, listening intently during a conversation, as a sign of intelligence.

Self-doubt.Intelligent people examine and re-examine everything, dumb people are confident and satisfied with the first thing they thought.

A man in a red plaid shirt sitting thoughtfully on a grassy sand dune, symbolizing intelligence signs like self-doubt.

Humanhistoryis studded with examples of such sheer genius that they’re almost overwhelming. Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Alan Turing (to name just a few) all make the list of peak human intellect changing thegameacross the board.But what makes a genius a genius? In his post forCognition Today, Aditya Shukla lists several traits of highly intelligent people. Some of these include endless curiosity, adaptability, self-discipline, creativity, rapid learning, a powerful memory, strong reasoning and decision-making skills, and a deep capacity for problem-solving.

But what makes a genius a genius? In his post forCognition Today, Aditya Shukla lists several traits of highly intelligent people. Some of these include endless curiosity, adaptability, self-discipline, creativity, rapid learning, a powerful memory, strong reasoning and decision-making skills, and a deep capacity for problem-solving.

Admitting when you don’t know something instead of trying to blag it.

Two people in a meeting, discussing ideas, a sign of intelligence; both are seated at a table with a tablet and laptop.

Asking questions to help clarify things you don’t understand.

A student turns and smiles, engaging in conversation, a sign of intelligence, in a classroom setting.

Mispronouncing words because you’ve only read them in a book.

A woman reading a book outdoors, showcasing signs of intelligence.

IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) are two distinct measures that assess different aspects of human capabilities. In her article forHealthLine, Rebecca Joy Stanborough writes that IQ is a measure of cognitive abilities and intellectual potential. It evaluates skills such as logical reasoning, problem-solving, abstract thinking, and the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.EQ, on the other hand, refers to a person’s ability to recognize, understand, manage, and utilize emotions effectively. It encompasses skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social competence. Individuals with high EQ can navigate social complexities, build strong relationships, and make informed decisions based on emotional information.

EQ, on the other hand, refers to a person’s ability to recognize, understand, manage, and utilize emotions effectively. It encompasses skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and social competence. Individuals with high EQ can navigate social complexities, build strong relationships, and make informed decisions based on emotional information.

Thanking someone for getting corrected.

Two women sitting on a green couch having a conversation, illustrating signs of intelligence.

Being able to appreciate simplicity.

A woman in a sunflower field, arms raised, wearing a hat, symbolizing intelligence signs.

Puns.They’re generally understood as low effort and a lesser form of humor, but in my experience the people who enjoy them the most have a playful relationship to language that correlates with intelligence and literacy. Plus, serial punners are in on the joke about how groanworthy their humor is, so there’s a meta layer to making a particularly awful pun and seeing everyone’s eyes roll all the way back into their heads.

Two women sitting and laughing on a bench, embodying signs of intelligence in a relaxed outdoor setting.

According toIQInternational, boosting your IQ involves doing stuff that stimulates cognitive functions and promotes mental agility, like regular exercise, challenging your brain with puzzles and games, pursuing lifelong learning, maintaining a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, practicing mindfulness, and staying socially engaged.Enhancing EQ consists of developing skills that allow you to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively use your emotions and those of others. According toHelpGuide, some useful strategies for this include regularly reflecting on your emotions and behaviors, learning to manage your emotional reactions, and practicingempathy.

Enhancing EQ consists of developing skills that allow you to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively use your emotions and those of others. According toHelpGuide, some useful strategies for this include regularly reflecting on your emotions and behaviors, learning to manage your emotional reactions, and practicingempathy.

Not having opinions on everything, and what opinions you do have are often nuanced and not rigid or strictly ideological.

Two women having a thoughtful conversation, signifying intelligence through engaging dialogue.

Keeping one’s mouth shut.

Person sitting thoughtfully by an empty pool, wearing a denim jacket, symbolizing intelligence through introspection.

Emotional intelligence - it gets treated secondary to academic intelligence, but those with emotional intelligence can be truly valuable in negotiations.

Parent and child sitting together on a bed by a window, showcasing signs of intelligence through affection and connection.

If your test results come back positive, you might want to join Mensa International, the world’s largest and oldest high-IQ society, established in England in 1946. According to theirwebsite, today, Mensa boasts almost 150,000 members across more than 90 countries, encompassing people from diverse backgrounds and professions.

Taking a longer than usual pause before answering a question. In a job interview once I replied “I’m not nervous I just want to think about that for a second”Afterwards I was told that stood out to the interviewer.

Three friends having a lively discussion in a cafe, illustrating signs of intelligence through curiosity and engagement.