Pearl Nash
As humans, we often underestimate ourselves. We think we’re not as smart as we really are. But hey, psychology has a different take on this.
Turns out, there are subtle signs that indicate you’re more intelligent than you give yourself credit for. Surprising, isn’t it?
In this piece, I’ll be sharing nine signs backed by psychology that suggest you’re smarter than you think. Let’s dive into it and unravel these fascinating hints about our own intelligence.
1) You’re a night owl
Some folks are all about catching that sunrise, while others hit their stride when the stars are out. If you’re more of a night owl, turns out you might have some smarts hidden up your sleeve.
I’m not saying that because I’m also a nocturnal babe myself, but because science said so. According to “The Savanna-IQ Interaction Hypothesis“, there’s a link between intelligence and being a night person. In other words, the brainiacs are more likely to embrace the night owl life than those with lower IQ scores.
Yeah, it might be a bit tricky when the world’s all about that early bird routine, but guess what? Your late-night creativity and problem-solving skills might just be shouting out your hidden intelligence.
2) You’re curious
Curiosity might make the cat dig deeper, but hey, at least the cat’s no dummy.
Since I was a little tyke, I’ve been all about asking “why?” and “how?” Always wanting to dive into the nitty-gritty of everything around me. It wasn’t until I got into psychology that I put two and two together – this never-ending curiosity could mean I’m not just curious, but smart too.
In the world of psychology, having a strong curiosity is often linked with being more on the brainy side. That itch for knowledge pushes these folks to soak up info about the world, and that constant quest for understanding helps the brain get even sharper.
I remember when I was ten, spending a whole summer trying to crack the code of my grandpa’s ancient radio. Hours of tinkering, researching, and soaking it all in. Looking back, it wasn’t just about the radio – it was about satisfying that craving for knowledge.
3) You enjoy solitude
So, being social is a big deal in human life, but if you’re all about that alone time, it might actually mean you’re pretty darn smart. Studies are saying that super brainy folks often lean towards hanging out solo rather than being social butterflies.
And hey, it doesn’t mean brainy peeps are anti-social. They just dig soaking up their own thoughts and ideas, and those big social events? Well, they might just leave them feeling a bit drained.
Now back to you. Do you enjoy some alone time for introspection and self-reflection more than hanging out in large groups? If so, you’re probably a genius without realizing it.
4) You’re adaptable
Living in a world that’s always throwing curveballs, being adaptable is the name of the game. But get this, it might not just be a survival skill – it could be a hint at how smart you are.
Studies tell us that brainy folks tend to be super adaptable. They can roll with the punches, adjust to new scenes, and find solutions on the fly because their brains are like lightning-fast problem-solving machines.
Whether it’s tackling a move to a different city, diving into a new job, or just shaking up your routine, if you can ride those changes with ease, you might be way smarter than you give yourself credit for.
5) You question everything
Are you the type who’s always throwing questions into the mix? If so, you’ve got some high-level smarts.
According to experts in psychology, clever folks don’t just take things as they come. Nope, they’re the detectives of information, analyzing, giving the side-eye, and questioning stuff until they get what’s really going on. Whether it’s poking at a news story, a science idea, or even their own belief, they’re always looking for the truth behind the truth.
And here’s the deal – all this questioning isn’t because you’re a tough nut or a skeptic; it’s because your brain is on a never-ending mission. Always curious, never settling for the simple stuff. It’s your brainpower urging you to dive deeper.
6) You value deep connections
In the era of having hundreds or even thousands of social media ‘friends,’ you might be in the mood for more real, deep connections. Wanting those meaningful relationships isn’t just a personal thing – it might actually show off your smarts.
According to researchers, intelligent folks often lean toward those deep, substantial connections instead of a bunch of surface-level ones. They’re all about quality over quantity when it comes to friendships, opting for a handful of close pals they can really rely on and have some deep convos with.
The fact that you’re all about those quality connections and find the shallow stuff a big meh demonstrates that you’re an intelligent person. It’s essentially your brain saying “Give me substance and depth!”
7) You tend to overthink
You know, there are times when my mind is just this tornado of thoughts and ideas. It’s like there’s a switch, and I can’t hit pause. I’ve wondered if being a chronic overthinker is a weakness or a strength. Turns out, it might just be a hint that I’ve got some high intelligence going on.
In fact, researchers suggests that people who overthink or analyze things more than others often have higher IQs. This constant churning of thoughts, the brain’s relentless quest to understand and make sense of the world, can be indicative of an intelligent mind.
Overthinking can be exhausting, but it’s also a sign that your brain is always on, always processing. It’s your intelligence working overtime to help you navigate the complexities of life.
Next time you find yourself lost in thought, don’t be too hard on yourself. Your mind is just flexing its intellectual muscles!
8) You love learning
Hey, if you’re the kind of person who gets pumped about picking up new stuff, you might be smarter than you give yourself credit for. Having a thing for learning is a big sign of being super smart.
According to psychology, brainy folks have this strong itch to learn new things and cultivate their skills. They’re not cool with just what they already know; they’ve got this hunger for knowledge, always wanting to level up and dive into fresh stuff.
Whether it’s diving into a cool book, tackling a tricky puzzle, or geeking out on a topic you’re into, that itch for knowledge is more than just curiosity. It’s your brain saying, “Hey, let’s get stimulated and grow!”
9) You appreciate complexity
Finding pleasure in wrapping your head around tricky ideas, systems, and concepts? That’s a solid hint you possess logical-mathematical intelligence.
According to psychology, intellectual people tend to gravitate toward understanding and digging complex stuff. They don’t shy away from tricky problems or hard-hitting concepts; instead, they see them as puzzles waiting to be cracked.
Getting complexity means flexing a higher-level brain muscle – spotting patterns, making connections, and pulling meaning out of things that might seem unrelated. That’s definitely intelligence in action.
Final thoughts: The beauty of intelligence
When we talk about being smart, we usually think about high IQs, fancy degrees, or impressive job titles. But, as we’ve seen in this article, intelligence is way more than just that – it’s a whole mix of different things.
It shows up in all sorts of behaviors, traits, and likes, just as diverse as we are.
Whether you’re a night owl, value deep connections, question everything, or dig into complex stuff – signs of smarts are all over the place, sometimes where you least expect them.
Therefore, next time you catch yourself overthinking or enjoying some alone time, don’t forget – you’re not alone, and it’s not a flaw. It’s just your unique kind of smarts doing its thing. Own it. Grow it. Celebrate it. ‘Cause it’s this smarts that makes you stand out.
