Analyzing human intelligence and interpreting IQ scores is not an easy task. Experts on human intelligence, psychologists and other academicals cannot agree on a single theory that would encircle the true meaning of intelligence.
However, in dictionaries, intelligence is usually simply defined as an ability to think, reason and understand things in the world around, as opposed to acting out of instinct and pure impulse.
Human intelligence must be far more than that. Some define intelligence as ability to adapt to the environment and to changes in it. We dare add that it is an intellectual ability. All living beings try to adapt to the newest conditions they encounter; it is the mean of survival.
However, we mostly do this by using our intellect, or at least it appears so. In this regard, intelligence must be more than adaptation.
Since our intellect makes not only capable of realizing and reasoning and rethinking our own position, in order to find way how to adapt to changes we experience from the outside world, we have something more precious. We have inventive and creative minds that employ our other capabilities. Thus, not only we adapt to the surroundings, but also we adjust the surrounding to our needs.
Our adjustments of given circumstances are highly arguable. Many would debate on whether our intellectual inventions that undoubtedly and inevitably have to do with mechanical and physical activity are, in fact, ‘intelligent’, meaning are they actually good.
However, this is not our subject here. Let us focus on this label of ‘intelligent’. This is a good example to analyze the term.
In this example, being intelligent is identified with doing something that could be defined as useful, good and positive. However, it is not what intelligence means, especially if we stick to the simplified definition we have mentioned. It is only our ability to think through things in this special way, to adapt ourselves, and to adjust everything else in our reach to adjust.
However, there is something more to add. Intelligence also implies learning from things that went wrong that are also product of our intellectual being’s activity. Instincts and intelligence, intuition and pure ratio seem intertwined, so it is very complicated to exclude one from another. We are not even sure about whether our intelligence is inborn or acquired.
The answer most likely lies in between. Studies have proved some part of our intelligence must be inherited. Research has showed that individuals who grew up separately from their birth parents, those who have never met their biological parents present with very similar level of intelligence or type of intelligence (we will come to that later). It is something that is inscribed in the genetic material.
Now, speaking of genetics, it is an interesting approach that broadens the definition of intelligence, because intelligence level alone can hardly be seen separately from one’s personal traits, which is also something people could inherit, though not necessarily.
Then there is also a factor of outer influences, of living conditions, socio cultural background et cetera.
Complexity of Human Intelligence
In short, it is hard to find unanimous definition of human intelligence as a whole. If you think of human intelligence from the point of IQ tests, you will get simplified perspective, since IQ tests can measure only several aspects of intelligence.
However, those who support IQ reliability are much more likely to define intelligence as our logical, linguistic and task processing speed ability. This excludes all skills and features that could be perhaps labeled as talents.
Multiple approach to human intelligence offers a different perspective, argued by many. This approach proposes the existence of more types of intelligences that could be found in each individual.
Each person starts with the same ‘set’ of intelligences, but these are not developed in the same way and to the same degree in everyone.
Therefore, one could be talented artists and bad mathematician, but also an avid, reader or a poet.
Another person could be brilliant logician, a master of numbers, but a poor painter or not a particularly agile sportsperson and so on. We have a combination of intelligences, which would make it difficult to brand one intelligent or non-intelligent.
All people are intelligent, because all have intellect that could be seen as a common place behind all the different aspects of intelligence. Different aspects could be observed separately, but they are all connected.
This theory is loose and vague by many, having no sufficient empirical proofs in practice, though definitely challenges the most common approaches that fit better with IQ tests.
This multiple intelligences theory proposes several types of intelligences, which include verbal-linguistic intelligence, visual-spatial intelligence, mathematical-logical intelligence, physical-kinesthetic intelligence, musical intelligence, interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence, natural or naturalistic intelligence.
Possible additional types would be existential or spiritual intelligence and moral intelligence.
This approach challenges the reliability of IQ tests as they are, since it allows for more options on being more than average in one field, while, at the same time being average in another. IQ test alone do not reveal any additional skills a person may be brilliant at.
Therefore, it is difficult to talk about IQ test as predictors of life success, which how they are most frequently discussed.
IQ Scores and Real Life Functioning
Let us focus on IQ scales and classifications, in order to place your IQ 108 in one of the ranges and try to understand what it practically means, besides of how it was regarded on the scale.
IQ scores are classified in different ways, but most of the scales take the point of 100 as the average score, with a standard deviation of 15 units. According to most widely practiced WAIS IQ test, the scale goes as follows.
Scores that are all below the point of 50 cannot be considered intellectually functioning and independent. These are very low scores that are considered to be severe retardation. The next range is that of 50 to 70 which is considered moderate retardation.
According to one of the advanced and more detailed contemporary scales, this range is labeled as ‘mildly retarded’. On WAIS scale, the next range is 71 to 80 and it stands for ‘borderline intellectual deficiency’.
The range from 80 to 89 is considered ‘low average’. The next range is what is considered normal or average on most scales. This is the range from 90 to 109. The next one is from 110 to 119 and it is labeled as ‘high average’.
Scores above these, from 120 to 129 are considered ‘superior’.
On other scales, scores of 130 and above are those of ‘gifted’, while scores from 140 and up stand for ‘genius’. Score 108 falls under the category of average intelligence.
Average Intelligence
What is average intelligence, anyway? It is probably the most difficult to define. Average intelligence is, in other words, the most common level of intelligence.
However, it does not mean that all people who fall under this range will present with same qualities, same capacities et cetera. Take into account the theory of multiple intelligences.
However, according to tests, average intelligence means a person is of average perceptual-reasoning ability, average task-processing speed and average comprehension-understanding.
It also suggests that a person has average learning capacity and working memory.
However, it does not reveal much about an individual’s full capacities. It only places him or her amongst 70% of population that scored a result within the average range.
Average score implies one is also perfectly capable of theoretical learning, independent and original thinking, driving conclusions from different sources of learning.
These people hand written sources perfectly well, are fit for higher education and can work in senior positions. However, all of this will depend on other factors that cannot be ignored.
Another ongoing subject of debate is whether the IQ score could be improved or not. While some experts argue one has only given and inborn capacities, others claim through effort and practice one could even improve the score.
It is very questionable, but it is perfectly possible that a person of an average score actually achieves greater things than one of the higher score.
IQ 108 Score Meaning
This, of course, drives along the question on what the success really is, of what areas of life we are talking about and many more. In other words, anything that has to do with trying to ‘bound’ intelligence into any definition or a scale must be taken up with caution.
IQ score 108 falls under the category of average, though it is at its higher point; it is very near to ‘high average’.
This means one is definitely aware of his or hers capacities and would very likely want to work on them.
A higher average score means a person would most likely get along with majority of people, but would prefer academic circles. It is not a rule, of course. This score means you possess slightly higher average logic, reasoning ability and problem-solving skills.
This further means that there is less chance you would face obstacles in the area of study and work (depending, of course, on fields you choose).
A person of such a score could do very well in life, since they could drive perfectly reasonable conclusions from their own actions and from everything they see around. They are unlikely to repeat the same mistake many times, but they could take them as a valuable lesson.
Of course, your personality profile, your emotional and social intelligence would play a big role in actual manifestation of this rather pleasing IQ score of 108.
The very fact that you are trying to understand your score implies you are interested into your further opportunities, which is characteristic for those with slightly higher average or above average score. However, score alone does not mean much.
The best thing to do is to focus on your actual desires and goals and see what fits your sensibilities. IQ score should not determine your decisions.
IQ score 108 makes for a good ground for further learning and improving knowledge and experience.
People usually ask if their IQ score was ‘good’ or not. Well, most answers regarding IQ score 108 is that it is a perfectly fine score. It is not a genius score, though. As someone mentioned, it is a great score.
It makes you capable of doing many things, while at the same time, it does not stand out that much so that you cannot get along with majority of people.