Happy & Healthy
8 SIGNS THAT SHOW YOU'RE SMARTER THAN AVERAGE
Smart people pay attention: you will recognize this
Let me get straight to the point: I scored incredibly poorly on this list myself. Misery. The science always turns against me. But apparently, truly gifted individuals share a few traits and life circumstances, and I'm going to tell you which ones.
1. You are the oldest child
Having younger siblings increases your chances of being above average in intelligence, according to Norwegian research. Probably because as the oldest child you have to discover and figure things out more on your own and then explain that to the rest. And that already makes an average difference of two points on the IQ test.
2. You are slim
Stop, I'm not saying that heavier people are ‘dumb’. But it seems that people with a BMI of 20 or less have better-preserved cognitive functions over time. According to French research, the memory of thin people remains better intact because the blood vessels in the brain calcify or clog less quickly.
3. You love cats
In 2014, research revealed that dog people are more social, and cat owners are smarter. HA. FINALLY A POINT. See, this is going to be just fine. I am smart.
4. You do not smoke
Oh crap. There goes my score again. An Israeli study among 20,000 young men aged 18 to 21 shows that men who smoke have an average IQ of 94, while non-smokers have an average IQ of 101.
5. You are left-handed
Worldwide, dozens of studies have been conducted on this topic. And professors keep coming to the same conclusion: there is a notable relationship between left-handedness and high IQ. Left-handed people think more flexibly and creatively and have a better working memory than right-handed people.
”If you have had at least one month of music lessons between the ages of four and six, you are verbally smarter than children who have not done this”
6. You have had music lessons
Also researched in 2011. If you have had at least one month of music lessons between the ages of four and six, you are verbally smarter than children who have not done this. Does playing the recorder at a friend's house during recess count? No? Bummer.
7. You are tall
Damn you. Jet. Tall people seem not only to be smarter on average, but they also tend to earn significantly more throughout their lives. This is due to the so-called ‘height bias’, tall people command authority and respect more easily. Hence why those supermodels earn so much. Grr.
8. You were breastfed
YES, MOM. You just contributed to my intelligence. But science doesn't lie: Brazilian researchers followed two groups of people from birth for 30 years. The group that was breastfed scored higher on intelligence tests as adults, had more success, and earned a higher salary. Okay, okay, now we’re talking.
9. You do not believe in God, only in yourself
Japanese research shows that liberals and atheists have a higher average IQ. This is because they continue to think creatively and do not want a will imposed on them by others. Ha yes, another point.
10. You are hilarious
The relationship between intelligence and humor has been established for years. No wonder comedians and cabaret artists score high on IQ tests. Fun fact: funny people are also more sexually attractive. From time to time, I can come up with a pretty good joke, if I do say so myself, but HILARIOUS? And saying that about yourself? Donno.
Total score? Three out of ten. Hmmm. I am an ex-breastfed, atheistic, apparently not so gifted cat child. Oh screw it, I do it for that.
