Intelligence is a concept with many different aspects, which is why it is hard to define it precisely. Each definition of intelligence fails to encompass every possible aspect of this concept. Every person has some special abilities and talents and they often fall into different aspects of intelligence.
Even today, the most known is the general intelligence type. General intelligence consists of the cognitive abilities of the person, such as the ability of gathering information, learning, gaining knowledge from experience, thinking critically, solving problems, being creative, reason, etc.
First tests to measure this type of intelligence were created in France in the beginning of the 20th century.
French psychologist Alfred Binet was given the assignment to create a test which can determine the differences between children who were considered mentally normal from those who had limited mental abilities.
These tests have been changed during time but still represent the first attempt to measure such a complex personal trait. Intelligence tests are made of different cognitive tasks. These tasks can be conceptual, perceptual, verbal, or quantitative.
The main role of intelligence test is still to measure the mental capacity of children and they do that by comparing their test scores and mental age to the average mental age of children who are the same age.
Besides for measuring the intelligence of children and determining whether their mental age corresponds to the average mental age of their peers, IQ tests are used by psychologists in recruitment processes to determine whether their potential candidates meet the requirements for a certain job.
Intelligence tests have scales for determining the test results. These results are often inaccurate due to various reasons mostly in relation to the person performing the test.
For example, lack of focus and concentration could seriously jeopardize the overall score on the test and the level of intelligence won’t be accurately measured. This is the reason why these tests have a tolerance of up to 10 or 20 points.
Intelligence scales have similar values. The currently used Wechsler IQ classification considers IQ between 90 and 109 as an Average intelligence score. Most people on the earth fall into this average intelligence category (estimated 50%).
According to this classification, intelligence below IQ 69 is considered Extremely Low intelligence, IQ between 70 and 79 is considered Borderline intelligence, IQ between 80 and 90 is considered Low Average intelligence, IQ between 90 and 109 is considered Average intelligence, IQ between 109 and 119 is considered High Average intelligence, IQ between 120 and 129 is considered Superior intelligence, and IQ above 130 is considered Very Superior.
Intelligence is a trait that can be changed and that is important to have in mind in case someone scores badly on an IQ test. Education, exercises, healthy eating, relaxing, drinking plenty of water, reading, etc. are all activities which one can do to improve their level of intelligence.
Types of intelligence
There are many types of intelligence mainly because of the fact that intelligence is a very complex trait which consists of many other traits, and there cannot be only one type to describe all possible varieties.
General intelligence is a type that consists of the person’s cognitive skills, their ability to learn and gain knowledge, learn from their experiences, reason, adapt to different circumstances, etc.
This is the oldest defined type of intelligence and most tests are created to measure this type of intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is an important type which describes the person’s ability to understand others, their emotions, motivations, and reactions.
This type of intelligence is very important in social interactions with others.
Multiple or specific intelligences are introduced because of the need to measure different aspects of intelligence.
People are different and some of them possess qualities in certain areas while others possess qualities and talents in other areas; that is, why, it is right to have many different kinds of intelligences and not favor only the people who possess type of qualities and talents in certain areas.
According to the theory of multiple or specific intelligences people can possess:
- Logical – mathematical intelligence or be number/reasoning smart
- Verbal – linguistic intelligence or be word smart
- Visual-spatial intelligence or be picture smart
- Musical intelligence or be music smart
- Intrapersonal intelligence or be self-smart
- Interpersonal intelligence or be people smart
- Bodily/kinesthetic intelligence or be bodily smart
- Naturalist intelligence or be nature smart
Fluid intelligence is a type represented by the person’s ability to find new manners of handling things and everyday issues. Fluid intelligence usually decreases with age.
Crystalized intelligence is a type formed during the person’s life and the experiences they had. Crystalized intelligence tends to increase as the person ages.
Creative intelligence is usually represented by the person’s creative ability and their gift of dealing with their problem in a creative way.
Practical intelligence resembles general intelligence and represents the ability to discover practical ways to solve problems or handle situations in life.
Intelligence quotient (IQ)
The level of intelligence is measured in intelligence quotients or shortly, IQ-s. The IQ of a person is calculated through IQ tests.
These tests are usually created for measuring the level of general intelligence.
IQ tests are different for different age groups. The main reason is the fact that intelligence rises with age. The formula used to calculate intelligence is: mental age ÷ chronological age x 100 = IQ score.
If the level of mental age of a person is higher than their chronological age, the level of their intelligence is higher and vice versa. Mental age is determined through intelligence tests and their scores.
It is significant to note that intelligence is a combination of various factors especially genetics and environmental.
Genetics has a great role in the forming and level of someone’s intelligence and can be said that it is something that we in most part inherit from our parents and ancestors. The proof for that is the fact that children usually have similar IQ-s as their parents.
Another significant factor which in some cases plays an even greater role in the level of the person’s intelligence is the environment.
The influence of the person’s living conditions, upbringing, care, education, and other related factors are very important for the development of the person’s intelligence.
It is a fact that children, who are neglected, raised in poor living conditions, without proper education and care, tend to have a lower intelligence than children who are raised in different conditions, are well educated and taken care for. In many cases, the level of intelligence of neglected children even decreases.
Fortunately, a comforting fact is that intelligence isn’t stagnant and unchangeable, and if these conditions change the children can improve their mental capacity and abilities significantly.
Unfortunately, many children never have that chance, and never reach their full potential.
Possible causes of a bad IQ score
As we earlier mentioned, IQ test scores can often be inaccurate. The reasons are usually related to factors present during the test mostly on the side of the person doing the test.
These tests are usually performed in a limited time frame, and they require maximum concentration and focus. If any reasons exist that prevent the person who is doing the test to focus and concentrate, the results can be inaccurate.
For example, the person could feel stressed, anxious, upset about the results, emotionally disturbed, tired, etc. All these reasons can cause the results to be bad.
Some people are afraid of tests and cannot relax and concentrate properly; that also can be the reason why someone has scored badly on the IQ test.
Also, learning disabilities can be the reason for getting low scores on the test.
Psychologists are aware of that fact and they provide tolerance of 10 to 20 points in these tests.
IQ 149 score meaning
According to the Wechsler scale, IQ score above 130 is considered Very Superior intelligence.
That means that an IQ score of 149 falls into that category. By scoring this score on the IQ test, you put yourself into the group of less than 2% population on the planet.
You could be considered genius. Such people have exceptional intellectual abilities, are very creative, original, and often make great advancements in the field of knowledge. Most genius people have high achievements in single activities rather than many different activities.
Geniality can be expressed in different areas. There are mathematical geniuses, literary or musical geniuses, etc.
Although it is certain that a high IQ score is related to above average mental abilities many psychologists argue that high IQ could be the only factor why someone should be considered genius.
There are many known cases of famous scientists who made some important discoveries, even though they didn’t have good scores on their IQ tests.
For a person to be called genius high IQ score is just one of the prerequisites. It is important for the person to be ambitious and have a drive to use their mental capacity to create something useful and of lasting value.
If you have this IQ score you have a great responsibility to use it wisely and make the most of your gift.
You have many talents and abilities you can use for your benefit, but to help other people as well. You should not allow yourself become overwhelmed with the fact that you have an IQ 149 and you are so much different than others.
That fact doesn’t give you the right to think that you are better than the rest of people as well as to treat them with disrespect because they are not as smart as you are.
Before you lay great opportunities for advancement and you should use them properly.
Don’t allow your talents to be wasted because you are lazy, shy, or not ambitious enough.
You have a great blessing and you should put in the effort to use it and create something that will benefit those who are not as fortunate as you are.