He's Not as Smart as He Thinks

This reminds me of two situations: my parents and my own. My father tied a world chess champion when he was about 8 yrs old. My mother was a skilled diplomat, artist, businesswoman and both finished areers in teaching. My mother always brought up my father's accomplishments and we watched my father depend on my mother to keep everyything going ....home, moving, finances, clients, house help, name it, my mother was in charge. In that relationship there was a mutual respect of each one's accomplishments.

Now, my situation: I envisioned for myself the same situation. I am female, my father recognized my academic abilities and I was kept in difficult, selective private schools to be prepared for a good University career. I graduated froma top school with honors. I looked for someone intellectually similar and married a guy who's parents proclaimed him to be very intelligent. What I did not understand, until much later, is that
emotional problems curtail the accomplishments of a person with abilities, that they become offensive, abusive and angry and downsize the abilities of the married partner.

Here is my summary: the partner who understands the skill of survivalship and is emotionally balanced is the person who can use his//her intelligence completely. Intelligence is after all, the ability to learn.

The article understandably provokes alot of emotions because of the obvious importance intelligence determines in each of our lives. Our species is named "thinking man", Homo sapiens, and this goes straight to the core of what we have to offer. It is, in fact, the "biggest tool" we bring to bear on the problems we encounter throughout our lives.

That men have a slightly higher IQ is best demonstrated by history itself -- the great advances and discoveries, as well as inventions were almost entirely accomplished by men. The normal bell-shaped distrubution demonstrates that individuals of both sexes will be represented well above and well below the mean.

The difficulty comes from taking the average and applying it to an individual. Even if there is a slight difference in average intelligence, the individual should be evaluated on his own merits. Honestly, it is somewhat unrealistic to expect that average intelligence of the sexes or the races would be equal. History simply demonstrates otherwise.

The article understandably provokes alot of emotions because of the obvious importance intelligence determines in each of our lives. Our species is named "thinking man", homo sapiens, and this goes straight to the core of what we have to offer. It is, in fact the "biggest tool" we bring to bear on the problems we encounter throughout our lives.

That men have a slightly higher IQ is best demonstrated by history itself -- the great advances and discoveries, as well as inventions were almost entirely accomplished by men. The normal bell-shaped distrubution demonstrates that individuals of both sexes will be represented well above and well below the mean.

The difficulty comes from taking the average and applying it to an individual. Even if there is a slight difference in average intelligence, the individual should be evaluated on his own merits. Honestly, it is somewhat unrealistic to expect that average intelligence of the sexes or the races would be equal. History simply demonstrates otherwise.

So many opinions...so little time. I dont usually read blogs..alot of energy and passion for a non-issue. Get a life..worry about the real problems facing this country. We are in trouble..use all that "brain power" you claim to have. Study the candidates...vote. If these candidates dont solve the problems...WE THE PEOPLE should wake up and find some new ones.

I think there are also cultural differences that affect the perception of intelligence in genders. I was brought up with women being smarter than men.

There might also be cultural differences to the whole perceived intelligence of genders. I was brought up with a different aspect of women over men.

I come from the planet Schizlak, and I find that all humans, male or female, are completely stupid and without merit. I don't think I read a single post that had been proofed or spellchecked. Please do yourselves a favor and get World War III over with, so the rest of us can utilize your planet's remaining resources. Thanks.

The article is affirming what most women already know. Sadly, my own mother definitely thinks that her three sons are smarter than her two daughters (my sister and I). Both females and males each have their strengths and weaknesses intellectually. I will work hard not to perpetuate the dumbing down of the female race.

After reading several comments, by no means all of them mind you, I feel like I should add my own personal experience to this.

I am a woman and quite proud of that fact. I am also a feminist but by no means what people like to call a "feminazi." I am not a lesbian or a man basher. I have a boyfriend who I love dearly. I believe that women have been objectified greatly in media and daily life and this is probably a major factor on why women may think they're less intelligent than men. The focus for women is supposed to be their beauty and youthfulness. Very rarely do you see intelligence being rewarded. I agree with whoever said that women are probably deferring to men only to be appreciated and win their favor. That is, to get a boyfriend/husband. I think that's a sad and very dangerous mental state to be in.

Personally, I have never felt myself as being overall dumber than any man, save maybe older men just because they've lived longer and had the opportunity to learn more. But that means I'm also dumber than older women for the same reason. I know my strengths and weaknesses. I know a man of my age could probably beat me at Math because I hate the subject. I highly doubt he could best me at English.

The point is gender is a construction and biological differences between men and women don't explain everything. There are a lot of factors in what makes up a person and his/her personality. This includes past experiences. I guess I was lucky in that when I was younger I was never told that my ideas were invalid due to my being a female. In fact, I was the smartest in my class and everyone knew it. Of course, I got picked on but I'm the one who's laughing now as I got into a great college. In fact, it was because of the boys making fun of me that I became a feminist, trying to prove my equality or superiority in everything. Maybe the real point I'm trying to make is blame history and cultural norms. "Norm" does not mean "right" or "good."

It's funny that it took you two posts to insult me Elleinia.... I'm wondering whose ego was left at the door and who just wanted to insult someone based on a screen name. Why not post a real opinion and not attack me for writing mine.

Well anyone with "TheDude123" as his screen name should really be taken seriously when talking about intelligence!!!

I notice that even as a man I am thought to have a lower intelligence by people, who mostly are in my family, because I am not the first born. It seems that the first child, with exceptions, is viewed as the "smart one" in most families. I also notice that the first child usually believes he is superior only because this idea is reinforced from birth. Placement within your family is an important factor as well. IMO from observation.

The problem with studies such as this is there really is no explanation for the basis of the study. Typically people who take intellegence test are probably those with some awareness of were they stand intellectually. Those who are below average would tend to avoid such test. So without a random sampling the tests become meaningless.

Personally I feel there is no difference between the sexes on an "ability to learn" level. Unfortunately women in most countries are given far fewer opportunities. Based on that if intellegience is a measurment of knowledge then of course those less educated will come up short.

In those countries where women are given greater opportunity, I feel the impression of intellect is still over shadowed by socio-sexual habit. Women stroke a mans ego as part of the courting ritual. Men play the big strong protector as part of that same ritual. To me there is no bigger turn off than a woman who tries to "dummy down" simply becuase she thinks it's expected. If you're with a man you think requires that then perhaps his low opinon of your intellect is deserved. If you're a man looking for that kind of relationship, you might consider a few more years at home with mommy before looking for a life time partner.