IQ and Common Sense

[Gail]

Yesterday I was listening to Dr. Neil Nedley and the topic was the IQ, and factors that promote the raising of it.

He made an interesting statement (maybe not surprising) that those with higher IQs tend to have more common sense, too.

Has this shown true in your experience?

[phkrause]

Yesterday I was listening to Dr. Neil Nedley and the topic was the IQ, and factors that promote the raising of it.

He made an interesting statement (maybe not surprising) that those with higher IQs tend to have more common sense, too.

Has this shown true in your experience?

Not as far as I have seen. I remember a number of years ago. This person with a very high IQ who had the smarts but had no common sense. But I guess that just one doesn't make a real case.

[ClubV12]

I haven't seen that in a profound way. The idea of the "absent minded professor", while funny, does carry some truth.

The mother of my son is a Ph.D. research chemist at a University. We have spoke many times of some people can do experiments in the lab, and some people shouldn't be allowed IN the lab! Some folks are just simply "dangerous" around equipment. Perhaps their calling is best fulfilled in the "theoritical chemistry" area. It does take a brilliant mind to be a theorists in these various disciplines (chemistry, physics, etc.) but often this most brilliant group are the ones who can't drive a car and are dangerous to have in the lab! I would have to say I've known more Ph.D's that lack common sense than those who do have common sense.

[cricket]

Define "common".

[ClubV12]

"Common" that which few people have, as in, "sense".

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I think common sense has a lot to with how a person was raised, their environment, their activities and individual problems.

IQ....I don't think common sense has one iota to do with IQ. VOES

[cricket]

I agree, rudywoofs, with the possible exception that "common sense" is often an uninteresting, unnecessary, or unappealing approach to a situation/problem--and therefore, overlooked by some with an higher IQ.

[Tom Wetmore]

"Common" that which few people have, as in, "sense".

...which would make it uncommon.

[Dottie]

Sometimes those who can do very well in a lab or in computers, or some very specific field have very little "common sense" or the ability to interact well with others.

Look up Asperger's sundrome.

[Tom Wetmore]

The main lack for someone with Asperger's is social skills. I think common sense is much more than simply good social skills. If there is a correlation between IQ and common sense, Aspergians should have superior common sense because most of them have above average IQ and many have a high IQ.

This topic fits in with the discussion on wisdom on another thread. I think common sense is wisdom for normal life, everyday common events activities. A person with common sense consistently exercises good judgment and makes good choices for ordinary life.

[Flyboy]

Define "common".

Haha.... you must be one of those with a high IQ and not much of the other. :)

[cricket]

Define "high".

[Flyboy]

Define "high".

[Bravus]

I think the two things are not strongly correlated. One can be high in either, neither or both.

[Planey]

neither

me

[Gail]

Originally Posted By: Bravus

neither

me

I don't believe a word of it!!

[Doug]

"Common" that which few people have, as in, "sense".

I thought common was when a lot of people have it, not just a few.

[Bravus]

Love the t-shirt (though some versions are a bit sweary): 'Common sense: So rare it's a superpower!'

[ClubV12]

Doug, according to Mark Twain (always a reliable source), "Common sense aint so common." :)

[fccool]

I highly doubt that there's any connection. If all else, speaking from experience, the people with the higher IQ do have a bit more information down to base their choices on.

Yet, quite a bit of time we misdub "common sense" with some traditional knowledge that people lack. It may be a common sense for someone to use worms to catch fish, but person who've never been fishing before would have no clue. It's different kind of information.

ClubV12, the same reliable source also said:

"I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's."

[Gail]

That's precisely why I posted it. The doctor giving the lecture is a medical doctor, Neil Nedley, who has now joined Weimar. This was a sermon entirely on the subject of IQ.

He's the one who has written books on treating depression.

We are all going to know people who are exceptions. To me it seems like people who have higher IQs are probably better at "figurin". Some, if not much of it, could be chalked up to common sense.