The question of IQ scores undoubtedly raises the question of what the intelligence was in the first place. The term IQ or the Intelligence Quotient has being in use for more than a century now and it has also been misused or wrongly defined.
In common talk, people use the term with ease and do not actually think about what it represents. Let us talk more on the idea of the intelligence.
The famous astrophysicist Stephen Hawking once have said that the intelligence is, in fact, the ability of adaptation to changes.
Berthold Brecht believed that the purpose of human intelligence is not to be the ‘smartest’ and to make the most clever decisions, but to be capable of realizing our mistakes and learning from them. These ideas seem attractive and logical.
In practice, it becomes a bit different. For example, a brilliantly intelligent student could learn with ease, thanks to the full comprehension of the subject, reasoning and his or hers processing speed.
A less intelligent one would most likely spend more time to learn the subject and it is also very likely that he or she would learn the theory by heart, but without full understanding.
The power of intelligence, to call it so, allows for logical connections and associations that all make the whole process of learning easier.
The intelligent student associates new knowledge with what he or she already knows, which opens up the whole new world of interesting information and makes the process much smoother.
In addition, the highly intelligent one would efficiently elaborate their subject verbally.
All of this is fine, if we stick only to educational and academic environment based on theoretical background. While high intelligence and this ability of associating things and processing information does indeed help one to adapt to the world, there are other important elements to consider.
Common Intelligence Quotient tests do not reveal all capabilities of an individual.
The Question of the Nature of Intelligence
The question is whether the intelligence could be observed as general, universal and present in every individual, to more or less degree, or it should be divided into several different branches of manifestation?
American psychologist Howard Gardner proposes the theory of multifold or multiple intelligences. Let us see into this.
He defines intelligence as an ability to resolve problems and create products that are appreciated in one or more cultural frames. Gardner believes that each individual possesses flaws and advantages that are responsible for formation and development of multiple dimensions of intelligence.
In other words, the Intelligence Quotient Score does not say that we are ‘unintelligent’, but that our intelligence is to be found in another dimension of the intelligence as it is.
According to this interesting and most definitely appealing concept of intelligence, there are several ‘types’ of the intelligence.
They are verbal or linguistic intelligence, logical or mathematical intelligence, visual and spatial intelligence, physical and kinesthetic intelligence, musical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, naturalistic or natural intelligence, existential or spiritual intelligence.
The main purpose of IQ tests is to serve as a predictor of life success. However, could intelligence alone be considered a life success predictor? Well, it is most likely not true.
Intelligence, whatever the type was, is not enough to determine one’s success in life, even if we observe it multiple and this flexible. It is seen in practice; intelligent people who put no effort into their goals would likely achieve nothing special.
Of course, there is also a matter of success as it is. It is not the same speaking about public acknowledgment, getting ahead on the social and professional ladder and achieving personal development and so.
The famous artist, Salvador Dali, famously put that intelligence without ambition is the same as a bird without wings.
Nevertheless, intelligence is a base of potential future success.
Average Intelligence Score
Since we are interested in IQ score 101 meaning, let us first talk about some basic classifications of the scores and the average score as the starting point of understanding the ranges and scores. Common IQ tests divide scores into several ranges.
There are different versions of the scales and different tests, as well. The common classifications are more or less like this.
Scores between 70 and 79 are considered of ‘borderline deficiency’, while those between 80 and 89 are considered ‘dull’. Scores from 90 to 109 are of ‘normal’ or ‘average’ intelligence and this is precisely where the IQ score 101 falls under.
Scores between 110 and 119 are considered ‘superior intelligence’’, while those from 120 to 140 are ‘very superior intelligence’. Scores above those are ‘genius’ or ‘near genius’.
Well, what an average score means, in the first place? To be honest, it does not reveal much about one’s actual abilities. It does not tell much about person’s skills and talents. It tells only that one has the Intelligence Quotient the same as in 70% of the population.
The average score on most scales is set around 100 with the standard deviations of 15 points.
The question of the true meaning of the result is sensitive and controversial. Many argue if IQ test should be considered reliable at all. There are many factors that could affect the very performance on the test.
In addition, other categories and parameters have been proposed as even more important, in terms of life success predictors. Emotional intelligence is one of tremendously important concepts.
Well, the average score tells that a person has average problem solving and processing skills, average reasoning, that he or she is capable of learning from theoretical material, that he or she could be successful in college system of education and such.
However, this definitely does not tell the whole story about the person and his or hers abilities.
IQ 101 Score Meaning
IQ 101 falls under the category of normal or average intelligence, by the book. All we have said about the average score applies to this particular one. However, many would agree that this number does not in fact tell about all the potentials and capabilities of the person in question.
There are examples of amazing artists or musicians or very handy, crafty people with an average score. This only proves that the score itself cannot be the only factor of the life success.
A score 101 does not tell about one’s talents, for example; at least, not all of them. It does tell about one’s capabilities in terms of classical system of education, about learning from theoretical materials, processing the information gained, forming and expressing the opinion on them.
However, that should never be taken as a single deciding factor of one’s life path.
What is extremely important is emotional intelligence, sometimes called EQ. The thing is that a person of an average score, say IQ 101, could be very ‘emotionally intelligent’, kind, open to people, persistent in their goals, courageous enough, ambitious, but generally relaxed, tolerant and else.
If one is emotionally and psychologically resistant to provocations that come from the world around, he or she could smoothly achieve their goals.
Of course, the goals of an average intelligent person might not be the same as goals of someone highly intelligent. However, this all should be taken with caution.
This highly intelligent individual does not have to be emotionally stable and emotionally intelligent, which would prevent him or her from success. What people are mostly interested in is what careers they could pursue with the quotient they got.
What people would answer to one with the 101 IQ score is that any career is suitable for such a score, although one must take into account all challenges and possible difficulties.
In other words, one should know their own disadvantages and advantages; as we have said, intelligence is definitely a flexible concept. People generally agree on IQ not being the determinant in terms of career.
The real question is what you are interested in. An average IQ means you are definitely capable of careers most people are, but it should not be seen as a limitation.
Other parameters that constitute your personality, besides your intelligence, are very important and should never be neglected. With an average score, you could try whatever you like.
The average score, as it provides average reasoning, would most definitely help you realize if what you have pursued is the right thing for you.
We could even say that in this case, this average reasoning is helpful; you should always be open to new opportunities and horizons, but the ‘normal’ intelligence would help you learn from your experience and see if you are suitable for doing something or not.
The wisdom does not lie in that number of 101 or whatever else; knowing yourself is what helps one get ahead in life.
While your intelligence quotient score does not make for your entire person, it could be a useful guideline and it is the best to take it as one.
In addition, it is not set in stone. Many experts agree on the idea of a changeable intelligence score. That said, if nurtured and fed, your intelligence score might even change the range.