Is being smart the same as being intelligent? 6 key differences

Being smart is not the same as being intelligent. They look alike and, sometimes, they are even confused. However, the first dimension has more to do with cunning and that insight that allows us to solve everyday challenges. Now, your intelligence is an innate construct that is measured through psychometric tests and that defines your ability to face deeper problems.

It should be noted, however, that both cognitive spheres are equally valuable. In fact, A smart person can go as far or further than someone with a very high IQ..

The interesting thing, too, is that you can always maximize that ingenuity that is not biological and that contributes to learning new skills to conquer your dreams and purposes. Below, we detail the main differences between one plan and another.

6 reasons why being smart is not the same as being intelligent

There is one aspect that you may have noticed. We live in a society that overvalues ​​intelligence tests, to the point of assuming that someone’s worth is measured by this factor. In reality, a person’s efficiency, competence and talent show up in ways that are not always quantifiable.

Thus, a first nuance that you will be interested in knowing about this topic is that The smart person is the one who efficiently applies his intelligence. This detail is decisive, because many times having an IQ of 130 points, for example, is not synonymous with success.

High intellectual competencies often lead to academic failure and unhappiness. In the following points we delve a little deeper into this information.

1. Origin and development

Intelligence has a genetic component. This is what a study published in the journal Nature, in which they point out that this factor is hereditary and can predict educational and occupational results. What’s more, it is estimated that this heritability is between 20% and 50%.

Now, there is an interesting point. Intelligence, as the British psychologist Raymond Cattell highlighted, manifests itself in two ways: fluid and crystallized. The first has to do with that genetic and neurophysiological base already mentioned, but the second is what allows you to continue developing thanks to training and curiosity.

Being smart, therefore, is related to “crystallized intelligence” and makes it easier to acquire new skills. throughout your life. In fact, now, as we are told in a paper in the Journal of Intelligence, this factor is measurable with a new instrument called “the C test.”

2. Applications of each one

If being smart is not the same as being intelligent, how are each of these cognitive spheres applied? How do they benefit? To answer such questions, it is necessary to understand one detail. Intelligence has more to do with your knowledge and being smart with your skills. We describe it better with the following examples.

What does intelligence allow you to do?

Define the ease with which you acquire complex knowledge. It is motivated by curiosity and to delve deeper into abstract concepts. Address very complicated problems and solve them in a logical and creative way. It is related to the ability to have infinite knowledge of multiple disciplines. Dedicate a lot of time to reflection. This can make it harder for you to solve problems, because you approach challenges from many angles and perspectives.

Being smart and what it allows you to do

React in an original way to new situations. It is an ability to solve problems quickly. It is more related to finding practical solutions to everyday problems. It makes it easier to learn skills and strategies instead of memorizing concepts. React immediately to challenges, although You have little information. Use your intelligence very efficiently, even though you do not have a high IQ.

3. Mental perspectives

In a work published in the journal Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, they highlight that intelligence is that competence that makes it possible to reason, solve problems and learn. In addition, it integrates processes as decisive as memory, perception, attention, planning and language.

And there is one more detail. Being intelligent offers a broad vision of reality to think long term. There is a projection towards the future, you place your gaze on that distant horizon in order to anticipate events or problems to act on.

However, Being smart makes you focus more on the immediate present to make quick decisions.

People with high intellectual abilities do not always achieve professional and personal success. It is common for them to show greater existential anguish and a higher tendency towards excessive worry. For their part, “smart” profiles are more decisive and effective when it comes to taking advantage of their intelligence.

4. Can you be smart, but not intelligent? And vice versa?

The smart person is, above all, the one who uses his intelligence efficiently. It does not matter whether the latter is located in the middle or high percentiles; will always put into practice the most useful skills. In any case, it is important to highlight, once again, that ingenuity or insight is linked to the crystallized intelligence described above.

That is, someone with an IQ of less than 85 will not develop skills as ingenious as someone with an IQ of 100. On the other hand, the man or woman with High intelligence can sometimes demonstrate inefficient responses to problems.

Personality factors such as neuroticism, low emotional intelligence or the tendency to overanalysis or excessive thinking may generate serious blocks in them. Something that does not usually happen if you are very smart, sagacious and skilled.

5. Creativity vs. efficiency

All of us come into the world with great creative potential. As they clarify in an article by Intelligence, The most intelligent people usually demonstrate high-level creativity. In other words, they are capable of providing more complex and innovative ideas, concepts and proposals.

Instead, The virtue of the smart person is their efficiency in addressing problems quickly. and not so much in offering very original proposals.

6. The problem of high intelligence

Being very intelligent is not always synonymous with success or happiness. Sometimes, schools do not detect children with high intellectual skills and this can lead to demotivation and academic failure. What’s more, we have studies that link high IQ with a predisposition to certain psychological disorders.

Loneliness, the feeling of disconnection from the environment, excessive thinking or existential crises are factors that, in some cases, can accompany this sector of the population. Even so, Smart people are more skilled in their emotional regulation and proactive when looking for solutions. to what distresses them.

The importance of education and stimulating environments

At this point you may be wondering if it is better to be smart or intelligent. Both dimensions are equally relevant. With them, you can adapt better to any circumstance and successfully solve challenges. To achieve this, it is decisive to stimulate the mind and always apply a curious approach.

A work carried out by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Texas outlines the importance of education to develop intelligence to the maximum. Everyone has a unique potential that can reach its highest levels during school and academic times. Then, stimulating environments and people will make it easier for you to learn new skills.

Finally, keep one detail in mind: Emotional intelligence is the best ally to boost your cognitive skills to the maximum and effectively. If you understand and effectively regulate your emotions, you will give your best in all circumstances.

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