IQ: What is it Good For?

You answer is within the film Forrest Gump.

I have never seen that movie, actually I only watch movies when I can't sleep. I suppose I will have to buy a DVD player and see if I can rent the movie.

The MENSA test should be your next.

Been there, done that, did not see any advantage, and I did not get a t-shirt, so i did not follow up. I did qualify, but like I said what would be the advantage, I am not much into certificates that say I can, more into actually showing I can.

same as war...
war...
what is it good for?
absolutely nothing.

Del

That is more or less the conclusion I have come to as well, but I thought I would ask just in case I missed something. I need to find a job so I have less time on my hands...

Say it again!

A high IQ will allow you to understand new concepts and identify subtle relationships faster and easier. You will spend less time trying to understand and more time actually being productive (or explaining the concept to someone else).

Well I get that, in fact I live that, explaining it can be difficult some times.

Hi there Truman, it is rather fun to do the impossible, I always get excited when someone says "you can't do that".

In a college Psych course, the prof explained that the only thing an IQ test measures is your ability to take tests. At that time, I came through at 130. Today (40 years later) I took one on line and came out at 135.

I also enjoy drafting. I had to take a couple of drafting courses in college. The instructor would hand out an assignment on Monday, for hand in on Friday. I always had mine done on Tuesday at worst, with "OK boss!! What's next!!"... and also got straight "A"s. It was fun.

Sincerely

Bill

Seems the real question here is " what good is knowing you have a high IQ".

Does the fact that I have not been tested for IQ mean that I don't have one?

It's kinda like some of our body parts, we all have them, some people just make out better than others with what they get.

LL

a high IQ is not an obvious criteria for hiring or qualifying for much of anything, except MENSA. a high IQ without a goal or directions is like having a sports car with no driver's license. it's nice to sit in, but you don't go anywhere. a high IQ comes in handy once you have your goal and direction. it should, in theory, make accomplishing your goal(s) a little easier than the average schmuck. i know plenty of people much smarter than me that are cleaning pools and mowing lawns because they have no direction or goals... and they usually drink a lot, too. well, that's my two cents worth...

Drink a lot of what! I drink a lot of water, red wine and whiskey when I feel like it! "Nothinking wrong with having a drink, now and then, it calms the nerves, "pasafyes" the agravation, and sometimes stupifyes the anger, so that I recognize the futility of becoming upset over issues I have no control over.

I don't need to change the world! I will only be here for, If I am lucky, 75 to 85 years. All I really have to do is learn to survive that long, and it will not happen if I worry myself into an early grave.

Dances with trees, you need to take up fishing, absolutely nothing satisfies the soul like out smarting a fish! However, I have traveled this nation from coast to coast, the fishing is great every where, "sometimes". but it is always great just to be able to try and out smart a damb fish!

TMF

Yep !!

I have a relaxation distraction, every year I head out into the desert in the South West US and camp someplace in the wilderness. I just set up camp for a week or so and enjoy the solitude and the wildlife. Did you know there are Bobcats in Death valley?

I managed to talk my way to 8 feet from a very nice example, took several pictures and he wandered off. I tracked a mountain lion for about an hour, she was rather un-trusting sort, never saw more than shadows, but I did hear her in the underbrush. last year I had a talk with a Transula (sp) and several Coyotes.

I love my time away in the desert.

Actually it was:

Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration

Success has a laaarge component of luck.

If you are lazy and unproductive before you learn you have a high IQ, not much will change afterwards.

If you are a bit of a snob, that might change, you may get worse.

If you are normal things should come a little easier for you than say a kid with Cerebral Palsy.

Other than that not much.

A high IQ is absolutely essential for scoring high on IQ tests.

I feel that having an high IQ is of definite disadvantage. In fact these people should be some what ostracized.

a) Frustration when I see that people of lesser caliber growing faster.

b) Irritation when people do not understand simple things.

c) Another bad habit is trying to explain in short and disjointed (for others) concepts and assuming people should connect them (not my word, this is what some people have commented behind my back)

etc.

Long back read one Isaac Asimov Novel - where a child was removed from society due to high IQ- forgot the name (since now the IQ has gone down to IF)

You might have a point about the social disadvantages, sb. Here's an example.

Certainly there is some advantage to having a high IQ, though for full success it is best combined with what is now called EQ, or emotional intelligence. Persistence and focus often lead to success. Of course success in our world usually means money in the bank, personal security, and the ability to help others. There are people who have what we call Winning Personalities. Coupled with smarts they often entertain us, or inspire us. There is an old saying among actors that goes: "A smart person can act stupid, but a stupid person can't act smart." To see evidence of the value of intelligence, however measured, I suggest considering successful actors as displaying some advantage to the possession of intelligence. The success of Canadian Comedians in the US, is of interest. Being There, by Jerzy Kosinski is an ironic story of a man who gains great stature, while being basically stupid, but saying what he knows simply.

Nicely said, Trans...

GA

Actually there is a multiple intelligences theory that I have found to be better than the single IQ indicator for understanding the diversity of factors that many people bring to their jobs/activities/ etc...

google 'multiple intelligence theory' or 'howard gardner.'

milo

Interesting approach, and what a great idea, I was reading

http://www.multipleintelligencetheory.co.uk/ and followed the link to;

http://www.boffinsquad.co.uk/activities/multipleintelligence.aspx

Took the quiz for fun, self knowledge is good no matter who it is presented.

Score;

word smart 88%, number smart 72%, music smart 68%, body smart 60%, picture smart 92%, people smart 76%, self smart 76%, Nature smart 92%. I seem to be spacial/visual, but then again I knew that, information of any kind is good to have.

So what are your scores?

wordsmart=92%

numbersmart= 76% ( its my weakest showing- And i just finished my MBA!)

musicsmart=100% (Actually I'm a second rate drummer, but I have extremely wide ranging musical taste, and over 60 gig of music files i had to move off my laptop...)

body smart=84% (I have no idea which questions gave them body smart... I think that it rated me higher than i really am. I'm not terribly well coordinated, (just look at my terrible typing) but I have survived 30+ years in heavy industry and machining and steelmaking, so I'll accept it.)

picture smart= 80% (and I have over digital 100,000 photos I have taken since 2003...)

People smart= 96% (I 'd have thought this was number 1)

self smart = 88%

Nature smart = 92% (Boyscouts and college biology helped out here I guess)

Thanks for the link to the free quiz.

milo

Like my caption says." Some people are educated way beyond their intelligence" Its never what you know. It's what you do with it. High IQ with no action is very un impressive. I have known millionairs that can't read and wright. My spelling aint that good either.

If you want to be the next einstein or Hawkins (ergo zweistein or falckins) then you need an high IQ.

PS an High IQ doesn't make your smart it just means you have the tools to do wonderous things, but if you do nothing with it. you just like the the rest of the common folk.

Mr. Tree Dancer,

Bored? Want to make a 60% engine, solve the energy "crisis" and make a roadable airplane? Lots of things to do, too few brains willing to flip the brain-switch on.

Write me a private note, and I will put you to work...and see if your IQ is really 180...hope it is!

Seaplaneguy@msn.com

Seaplaneguy

IQ is a useful tool. But it is of little use without also the possession of wisdom.

so what good is having a high IQ?

Have you noticed that you seem to be able to keep yourself happy in situations where others can't?

you wrote" Not to brag but when I was last tested I scored 180" you have beat me I think I managed 130 which is about average. I should say it is not a bit of use unless you know how to use it!

Don't feel too bad - it all depends on which scale they're using. 130 can equal 180 if different scoring systems are used.

The more important datum (if you attach any importance to IQ at all) is your percentile rating. I guess not everyone who scores high on the IQ test knows that.

130 can equal 180 if different scoring systems are used.
Yeah..how does this relate to Cat IQ points?
And isn't there a special nut based test for squirrels with an assault course thingy?
Del

In all my years of work I have never heard of anyone being hired nor have I hired anyone because they had a high IQ. People were hired (hopefully) because of there education and experience in the field we needed to fill. Maybe your IQ helped you obtain a necessary skill or you are able be more productive employee because of your abilities. This may help you move up but thats about it. Most companies look for other attributes, your ability to work with other people, your organizational skills, your ability to focus on the work at hand.

So in answer to your question; No not from a professional level.

It can be a hindrance if too much emphasis is put on it in the formative years. There is nothing left to do but wait for life to anoint you as a chosen one.

Witness the downward spiral of a lot of professional athletes whose only skill is their ability to run or throw.

There is more to development then being a one trick pony.

IQ is good for frustration, anxiety and introversion.

Multiple, concurrent thought processes will drive you to drink.

Free mind analysis of a problem will never be believed until verified by a computer.

Generally people may tend resent you for your aptitude or alienate you.

Issues tend to seem insignificantly annoying.

Sounds fun huh?

There are many types of IQ tests out there and are subjective to the person that created them.

I've taken several IQ tests and have scored from 105 to 164 with an over all average of 144.

Does that mean anything. NO.

Why?

Because I could take those same tests over again and score differently.

Much of what is in any IQ test has to do with what you have been exposed too already and how well you've retained that information.

If you've never had any practice reasoning what pattern the shapes are going to be in in the next set of patterns then you will probably score lower then someone that has had practice with them.

Does that make you dumber then that other person? NO.

It just means you have a different set of experiences then that other person.

The score on an IQ test could be the difference of taking the test on an empty stomach as opposed to taking the test right after eating.

Or if you have a hang over.

Thank you very much everyone for the wonderful reading. wonderful conversation, and it has helped enormously.

A little background may help with the question of why would I bother to ask. During the past two years I have been on disability for clinical depression

http://uhs.berkeley.edu/lookforthesigns/clinicaldepression.shtml

nasty situation, and during several counseling sessions early on in the treatment one of the shrinks asked about IQ, didn't offer any reason why he asked, just knodded and wrote on his note pad. Counseling didn't prove to be very fruitful so I ended up relying on modern pharmaceuticals, and the adage, doctor heal thyself...

I have read reams of material about the subject and the chemical interactions of the human brain. I have taken a very deep look back on the factors that have shaped my life and the person I have become, an interesting exercise on self perspective and self image.

In the end I found that an accident practice of 'walk about'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Australian_culture provided wondrous results. Initially I thought I was just traveling in a solitary manner, then an Australian friend explained the custom to me, collective cultural memory anyone?

I have taken two such trips, not on foot, but in my Land Rover. I have traveled to some of the remote areas in the US southwest and just wandered around the desert area. Very therapeutic and I would recommend it to anyone.

I best stop before I write a novel length reply, thanks again everyone, another brick has been removed from the wall.

There is nothing better to take the rattles out of your head than to stand in the vastness of nature and contemplate your existence in it. Thats the feelings mountaineers have when they reach the top.

I am glad it did it for you have a long and happy life.

Nothing like it, thank you.

I am loking foward to this years expedition, more exploring of both nature and the backroads and trails of the Southwest. I find the desert regions facinating, they are so different to the environment up here in Canada.

Ok Ok, Quit all the thinking. A great life without depression is but one decission away. Put your IQ to work and have fun with it.

have been, several opportunities have presented themselves in the last few days. All of them automotive as well, Green technology type of things.

You should read Malcolm Gladwell's new book: The Outliers. It talks about people like you. Certainly, it opened my eyes.

An IQ score is a worthless metric of a persons intelligence. The tests are pretty standardized, much like an SAT, to the point that an individual can go on the internet, see what the questions look like, see the solutions, and then apply that knowledge when they do take an IQ test for themselves. IQ tests cannot quantify the genius of an individual who is gifted artistically either - it doesnt make them any less of a genius in what they do.

Ask yourself who is the bigger genius (and subsequntly has a high likelyhood of a larger IQ):

A) DaVinci (based solely on his painings like the Last Supper and Mona Lisa)

B) DaVinci (based solely on his studies of compairitive anatomy, mechanics, flight, etc and his inventions)

C) DaVinci (Based on the entire depth and breadth of his work)

An IQ test could say B and C tie, whereas an individual could conclude that A and B tie, and C superceeds all.

No they are not standardized.

There are many different varieties.

Like I said before the IQ tests are subjective to the person giving the test.

Not to brag and I don't even know where this places on the IQ (idiot quotient) scale but I was tested at 150 when I was 14. Now I can't even figure out how to get the childproof (adult/idiotproof) cap off a bottle of aspirin.

I would like to point out some advantages of having a low IQ:

I can enjoy the simpler things in life, like watching paint dry, admiring the wisdom of everyone else, reading the same book - repeatedly, and daytime talk shows on TV (well maybe the first three).

I don't get asked anything more complicated than, "How are you today?" and no long, drawn out responses are expected. The projects assigned to me are easier in nature and I can spend more time getting my project results from Google and CR4.

It ain't all bad.

Gee, people with low IQ's get all the fun.

Apparently it's good for the Democratic party.

http://weird-shit.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/us-elections-qi.jpg

I learned a long time ago to keep my mouth shut about IQ. Many people will judge you on it without taking the time to get to know you. These same people will have unrealistic expectations of you. From your comments, I'll bet you have had to deal with that. Most of the teachers I have known fall into this category.

IQ tests and their brethren used to be used to try and help students find a meaningful career. Now its just another form of social injustice fomented in our school systems.

Find what you like to do and then just go do it, give it 100%. Success and happiness come from giving the 100% not the IQ.

Hello Dances with trees;

We flogged this IQ thing to death a few months back, are we so bored with our selves as a group that we have nothing to do but rehash subjects this often? Try the archives, enough was posted to get your interest, I'm sure!

Sorry life is so boring in Canada.

TMF

For a guy that's Toomuchfun, you're killing all the fun.

Hello Dances with Trees (although that must be boring )

I am a high school science teacher. The organization I work for produces a file which contains comprehensive educational information on our students. One piece of information is their IQ. The IQ is not entirely helpful in and of itself. I have many student whose IQ is low, but make up for it with effort. I have others whose IQ is high, and make up for it with lack of effort.

Where IQ does play a part is in conjunction with other information, such as reading and mathematics scores. If we have a 15 year old come in at a 3rd grade reading level (yes this is quite normal for us) I can look at his IQ. This will help determine if the student has ability issues or if he has simply never been taught to read.

With student functioning at more normal or advanced levels it doesn't do much and I very rarely looks at it for these students for anything other than curiosity.

Hi DWT,

A very good question, and as some have already said, only a part (maybe a very small part) of the total picture.

Having attempted to raise 3 kids (and still attempting even though the oldest is now 30), the topic of skill and capability and capacity has often been raised in the family, both as they (as siblings often do) were comparing themselves to one another, and through the cruelties of high school where everyone was compared to some 'norm'.

In our discussions, I often likened the issue to vessels or cups or glasses, stating that a large golden goblet (beautiful with a large capacity) filled with sludge was of a much lower value than a crumpled paper cup (not so beautiful, and of lesser capacity) filled with sweet wine. Said more simply, its not what we have, but instead what we do with what we have that matters. My oldest son has a much higher than average IQ, was able to grasp concepts and offer philosophical insights more so than most his age, but never really excelled at anything. My middle son, while intelligent, was smaller, physically weaker, and struggled with his studies, but today is accomplished and successful, doing very well for his age. I have another friend whose IQ has been tested to be in the 160 area, yet her life is quite the disaster because of poor choices and a distinct inability to work well with others.

IQ is an attribute, no different from any other attribute, physical or mental, and considered independently is of little value. Especially for those still seeking to find their mark, I think it is much more appropriate to understand that, by and large, they have what they have, and to diligently do what they can with whatever attributes they possess.

Thanks for the post, and kind regards ...

Hello Dances with Trees,

I took a Two day IQ test once, scored a 158. I've come to the conclusion that they don't mean much.

Yes I learn very fast and can make intuitive leaps that make little sense to others. It also makes conversation hard with simpler minds. Not that simple is dumb or ignorant.

I've ran into so many geniuses in one direction I find myself envious of their ability to follow that direction to great lengths. Where I go in many directions all at once.

As for Mensa the tests were easy but the individuals were socially inept. I figured I was already socially inept enough myself without their help.

Few and far between are the individuals who don't have some touch of genius at some task. The real trick is to develop that touch into a productive direction.

I think that is why I like to hang out here. Good minds, less egos, and office politics are frowned upon. And yes the humor is priceless.

Brad

Hi Brad

thanks for that, I know what you mean by all directions, I have managed to channel mine somewhat in the automotive arena, somthing I should have done decades ago, but then again I would be a grumpy automotive engineer incapable of thinking out of the box. So I am happy with where I am now, more or less, but it has been a long struggle.

i know what you mean by Mensa people, I know several, spent part of an evening listening to two of them discussing the merits of various single malt scotch offerings, they went on for an hour or so, I eventually said; I like this one best, upon their asking why, I said; I like the taste. Seems that had never occurred to them...

I like it here as well, and I agree the humor is priceless.

I recommend the pre marital inventory test. My wife wanted to get married right quick, but I had been married before and it had been a disaster for me. I remembered the test, which I took once before where the Bishop had seen the results and refused to marry us. Broke up and moved. Was happy the Bishop had refused to authorize the wedding. Got married to a Methodist. -really a consumer. Things didn't turn out well. So single and messing around for 15 years. I'd have a main girl, one on the way out and one on the way in. -Affairs. Anyway, my wife and I have made 8 years now. When I was working on a film in a prison they had a counseling room with a poster on the wall that listed things to do to achieve success. Number one was marry well. Priest said that he had never had a couple answer all the questions the same. I've not always been happy, but like Bob Dylan said the expectation is stupid. Of tests, I do recommend the pre marital inventory test given by the Episcopal Church. It was invented to cut down on failed marriages.

I am coming up on 30 years married, the pastor asked us one question.

Are you two friends? We both answered yes and the party was on, must have been the correct answer since we are still getting along well.

Good thing as we are polar opposites, she is a winter person, loves hockey, figure skating, even curling, Me I am a summer person and my distraction is four wheel drive anything. I am a pack rat, she collects nothing. Funny thing we are both huge fans of auto racing, NASCAR, Indy, F1, we both get glued to the TV whenever a race is on.

Without a sufficiently-high IQ, would you be here posting this question?

I could've sworn he was posing it....oh......and posting the question. No Densa membership here.

Hi Duck

Chalk river? You are just up the road from me. i noticed you guys are looking for staff too, or maybe it was the regulatory folks, I am not a BBB or a CCC so I didn't pay much attention to it.

That teapot of a reactor needs regulatory folks like a hole in the head. They're sticking their beaks into everything these days. Platitudinous lot best described as a waste of good oxygen. All flunkies out've Accomodations or Ontario Hydro.

What gives with Harper and his paranoia?

SSDD. it's the old rule one raises to his level of incompetency, could be he is afraid someone might remember his bush want-to-be act, or probably he realizes how much Obama out classes him. Not that the other three stooges are much better.

Who could forget that act. Pandering fop. Arrogant.

Bush was a unique phenomenon unique to the US. Good or bad it's in their ballpark and the US had to deal with it their own way. For Harper to have ingratiated himself in the manner that he did is testimony to treason.

Surprised he hasn't been surgically altered to look like Diefenbaker...

BTW.we now have an icebreaker named Diefenbaker.....it was supposed to have been named Abegweit....one guess who named it....... Imagine serving on the Diefenbaker! Hope the damn thing sinks.

the thing probably sputters and stumbles and then runs in circles looking for an aircraft to trash.

The only thing running in circles is Harpers misplaced integrity.