Am I a Genius?

What is a genius?

Technically, there’s no scientific definition of genius. Overall, a genius is considered to be someone with extraordinary intelligence or creative insight. Having “genius” involves the ability to think and work in areas previously not explored, using originality and creativity to provide something of value that wouldn’t otherwise exist. There’s a difference between genius and talent, as talent refers to a person’s natural aptitude for a particular skill.

The definition of genius In terms of intelligence quotient (IQ) is based on research from the early 1900s. One psychologist, Lewis M. Terman proposed that an IQ of 140 or above set the standard for “potential genius,” while another, Leta Hollingworth, proposed an IQ threshold of 180 instead.

Over the years, psychologists studying gifted children have observed that there are more who fit the definition of “genius” than one might expect. This may also align with the possibility that conventional intelligence tests just can’t accurately measure the full span of a person’s intellectual ability beyond a certain point.

As a reminder, this quiz does not measure IQ! It’s simply a fun way to see how well you can analyze problems and puzzles.

Other Types of Intelligence

In 1983, Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner published a book arguing that one narrow definition of intellectual capacity couldn’t possibly measure all the different talents and abilities a person could have. In other words: you might struggle with one thing (like math, for example) but be super talented in another area (like music or athletics). Although Gardner's theory lacks empirical evidence, it’s still been used widely among educators.

Gardner’s 8 types of intelligence are:

• Visual-spatial . People with visual-spatial intelligence are good at visualizing things. They often have a strong sense of direction and are good at interpreting maps, charts, videos, and pictures, as well as putting puzzles together and recognizing patterns with ease.
• Linguistic-verbal . People with linguistic-verbal intelligence have a way with words! They tend to be great at writing, speaking, reading, explaining concepts in a way that’s easy to understand, and memorizing information.
• Logical-mathematical . People with logical-mathematical intelligence have strong reasoning skills. They can recognize patterns, analyze problems, and tend to think conceptually about numbers, relationships, and patterns.
• Body-kinesthetic . People with body-kinesthetic intelligence are good at body movement and physical control. They tend to have strong hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
• Musical . People with musical intelligence have a knack for thinking in terms of patterns, rhythms, and sounds. They tend to be talented when it comes to musical composition and performance.
• Interpersonal . People with interpersonal intelligence have a natural talent for interacting with people. They can easily assess and read emotions, motivations, intentions, and desires in those around them.
• Intrapersonal . People with intrapersonal intelligence are super self-aware. They tend to be very good at picking up on their own emotional state, feelings, and motivations, engaging in self-reflection and analysis often.
• Naturalistic . People with naturalistic intelligence are more in tune with nature. They may be more interested in exploring the environment and learning about other species of flora and fauna. They may also be more aware of subtle shifts in their environment.
  
  

At the end of the day, this theory is a great reminder that there are many different ways to measure someone’s intelligence and talents, and that the term “genius” doesn’t really cover all the many ways a person might be considered smart. After all, there are plenty of IQ tests (and standardized tests in school) that don’t take different kinds of intelligence into account. So, regardless of the score you got on this quiz, don’t worry: you absolutely have talents to be proud of!