Intelligence

[{{Dana}}]

I have seen varying statistics for this, however, in my reading I have read that innies constituate approximately 30% of the population, though make up 60% of the intellectually gifted. I am interesting in other innies thoughts on different aspects of intelligence.

I have known for some time that I was an innie, however, I had no idea there was so much more to know about it. I've found it rather fascinating and can finally put a name to all my thoughts and feelings I've experienced and feel like I'm not so alone after all.  And a huge thanx to the author and its great to see you're a regular visitor to this forum.

[kimages]

I don't think innies should take the statistic to mean that they are 'better' than outties. There are certainly other worthy gifts besides intellect. However, it does stand to reason that if your temperament is geared toward deep thinking and research you're going to excell intellectually. Innies simply spend more time thinking about things. There's a great quote in the book from Einstein, saying something about how he didn't think he was smarter than other people, he just spent more time thinking about the problem. 

[{{Dana}}]

Too true. But I was not simply referring to intellect and being 'gifted' as simply your score from an IQ test... I came across this so called 'gifted' ability of individuals by my search for information on introversion on the net. The sites on giftedness refer to the 'gifted' as possessing certain personality traits and temperament which would undoubtly impact ones intelligence. Therefore, someone might not be 'gifted' as such but possess the temperament which makes them more academically curious. So I wonder if intelligence can be boiled down to temperament. I myself, am very skeptical of measures of intelligence. I like Einstein's quotes, it gives me hope ) I also find myself saying I'm not necessarily intelligent, I've just done my research, which only till recently found out it is a common trait of introverts.

I also like your posting (kimages) on the topic of introvert children being misunderstood and the fact that schools don't recognize and take into account introverts and their differing temperament or they just don't want to. I am also curious to know if you are a lecturer in higher education and if so, how being an introvert affects that.

[kimages]

Dana,

Interesting research on temperament and intelligence. I'm getting ready to read Carl Jung's Psychological Types and I'm hoping there will be some additional information in there.

I have had occasion to teach students web design at the university level, but it's always been a one day/few hours situation. Many years ago I taught harp lessons. I find teaching very draining, whether it's to a group or an individual. I don't mind public speaking, however. I don't usually seek it out, but I enjoy it. I can also step up and take leadership roles, like chairing a committee, but I find I have to pace myself and not get over involved. For many years I was a manager -- at one point I managed 7 people -- until a career counselor explained how my introversion was not working with my job requirements. I no longer manage anyone and am so thankful. It truly exhausted me and at the time I didn't know why I was so tired at the end of the day. I wasn't a terrible manager, but I had to weigh the cost to my sanity and health against the boost in salary and responsibility. Chosing to let it go was one of the best decisions of my life.

How about you - what kind of committments do you find a challenge as an introvert?

 

[{{Dana}}]

I find it hard just to push myself to go to uni. I dont go as much as I should. And the more I keep to myself the harder it is to go. I isolate myself and feel so detached from the outside world. I'm worried about how I would cope with full time employment. I think I would be best suited for research, writing and a little bit of teaching.

It's great actually putting an identity to the things I've always felt, but now I'm faced with knowing the challenges I will face and comming to the realisation that I am different to most.

[kimages]

Dana,

I understand what you're saying. After a friend read the book she went through a period of feeling a bit worse because she was so much more aware of how and why she was responding to things. Some things she thought were normal and everyone felt them, but then she realized that was not true. I'm sure with time, though, you'll be able to use the sspamestions in the book to help you figure how to handle getting out there in the world.

 

Kimages

Intelligence

[Quiet]

Yes, unlike most of the population, introverts think about what they say before they say it. That is why we are at a disadvantage in oral situations.  We care about what we say and think more thoroughly about it before it pops out of our mouths.  Unfortunately, fast talkers and people with "big mouths"  are treasured by society.