We live in an age where intelligence is the social equivalent of gold dust—widely sought after, seized upon in a partner, and, let’s admit it, secretly coveted in ourselves. But what truly sets those rare, dazzling intellects apart? After all, we all like to believe we’re clever (at least on Wednesdays). It turns out, there is a real, concrete personality trait that experts say is the secret sauce behind that extra edge.
What Separates the Exceptionally Intelligent?
Most of us recognize that intelligence isn’t a one-size-fits-all affair. Thanks to pioneering thinkers like Howard Gardner, who shook up the academic scene in the ’80s, the world became acquainted with the idea of “multiple intelligences.” Suddenly, it wasn’t just about being a math whiz or a wordsmith. Now, depending on where you look, up to nine different types of intelligence have been proposed. Not bad for the humble notion of “being smart.”
However, when people mention being “bright” in everyday life, there’s usually one benchmark in mind: the IQ, or intelligence quotient. That infamous score from the classic test we all dread, which places us somewhere on a bell curve of perceived braininess.
Within this framework, society labels those with an IQ above 130 as something special. In casual conversation, you might hear them called “gifted,” or perhaps a little less glamorously as having “High Intellectual Potential.” The burning question remains: among all the possible standout traits, what gives these individuals that mysterious, exceptional spark?
The One Trait Most Common in Highly Intelligent People
Gifted folks share several features. They’re often outgoing and pleasant to have around, apparently making game night a win-win both for their wit and their charm. But researchers wanted to go deeper. So did Grant Hilary Brenner, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst of considerable renown.
A study involving nearly 8,000 participants dug beneath the surface. The aim? To pinpoint the personality trait that all these high-flyers seemed to have in common. Drumroll, please… The answer is openness to new experiences.
Yes, according to Brenner (and his trusty research cohort), those with higher intelligence nearly always share this thirst for the new, the unknown, and the unusual. Far from being just trivia on a personality quiz, this openness tangibly contributes to a person’s intelligence. And it does so in several important ways.
Why Openness is the Real Game-Changer
Diving into new experiences isn’t just about collecting good stories for dinner parties or racking up frequent traveler miles. Regularly venturing into the unknown demands—and builds—a whole set of qualities that, in turn, support intelligence.
- Creativity: To embrace new challenges, you can’t rely on the same old solutions. You’re constantly inventing, improvising, and coming up with fresh ways to solve the unexpected problems that life pitches at you.
- Adaptability: When you’re open to trying things you’ve never encountered, you develop the inner flexibility to face tricky, unfamiliar, or even downright tough situations—sometimes with nothing but your wits and your willingness to adapt.
Put simply, the more you choose to step into uncharted territory, the more you give your brain a workout worthy of genius status. Turns out, those who dare to leap into novelty might just have brains that run a bit hotter and faster.
Don’t Let the Naysayers Get You Down
So, to the explorers and extreme adventurers, the thrill-seekers and experimenters in the little things of life: you’re not reckless—at least, not in the eyes of science. When people say your curiosity is a little… excessive? Maybe it’s simply because you’re sporting a kind of intelligence that some people can’t quite keep up with.
Embrace your openness, nurture your curiosity, and remember: in the quest for a higher mind, the best tool you can have might just be the courage to try something new.
