The daily life of a person with profound giftedness, characterized by an IQ significantly higher than that of the majority of the population, is an intriguing topic for its complexity. To fully understand the uniqueness of the thoughts of people with IQs between 146 and 160 (3 and 4 standard deviations), it is essential to contrast them with those of individuals with moderate giftedness and the general population.
Thinking in Deep Giftedness
People with profound giftedness have exceptional cognitive functioning, manifested by a heightened capacity for information processing, abstract thinking, and creativity. In everyday life, this ability manifests itself in several ways:
1. Intensity and Depth of Thought: While an average person may devote limited time to an idea before being distracted or satisfied with a basic solution, a person with deep giftedness tends to explore issues in depth, addressing nuances, multiple possibilities, and implications. For example, when studying a natural phenomenon such as photosynthesis, the person with deep giftedness not only memorizes the basic processes, but also questions the detailed molecular interactions that can reach atoms and global ecological implications.
2. Multidisciplinary Thinking: Unlike moderate giftedness, where the individual can excel in specific areas, deep giftedness often involves an interconnectivity between diverse disciplines. A person with deep giftedness can make connections between quantum physics and philosophy, or between music and mathematics, using these intersections to develop new ideas and theories. In the same profession, there can be many connections through creativity and may not even make sense to people without this condition.
Comparison with Moderate Gifted and Normal People
Moderate Gifted
People with moderate giftedness, usually with an IQ between 130-145, also demonstrate high cognitive abilities, but with a slightly lower intensity and scope than people with deep giftedness. They tend to be experts in their areas of interest, possessing a considerable depth of knowledge, but perhaps without the incessant need to integrate and connect knowledge from different domains. They can be great students, devoting themselves to all disciplines as needed and determined by education and society. On the other hand, people with deep giftedness may excel in disciplines of interest and underperform in others due to greater emotional intensity and rejection of what they dislike.
People within the average
The general population, with IQs in the range of 85-115, has a more linear and specific pattern of thinking. These people often focus on practical, immediate tasks and ideas, with a lower tendency toward abstract, multidisciplinary thinking.
Energy Saving Mode
Interestingly, people with deep giftedness possess a “mechanism for cognitive energy savings”. Due to constant intense mental activity, 3 and 4sd people may go through periods where apparently “shut off” their minds to avoid overload. This state can occur in moments of disinterest, such as in familiar environments where there is no new challenging information. In these periods, there is an alternation between not thinking too much and acting on the automatic, allowing a necessary cognitive rest.
Everyday Thoughts
Even with the ability for accelerated connections, there may be a delay in responses or in some situations due to in-depth analysis of circumstances or occupation with other thoughts. When not in “economy” mode, people with deep giftedness often think about complex and abstract issues. These thoughts may include:
– Philosophical and Existential Problems: Reflections on the nature of consciousness, the purpose of life, and profound ethical issues.
– Scientific Challenges and Tecnics: Development of innovative solutions to technical problems, or the creation of new scientific theories.
– Creativity and Art: Invention of new forms of art, music or literature, utilizing their unique ability to see the world in unconventional ways.
Behavior Analysis and Circumstancencias
People with deep giftedness often perform a thorough analysis of all the nuances of a behavior or all the strands of a circumstance. This detailed analysis can be exhaustive, but it is an essential part of your cognitive process. They are not content with superficial answers and seek to fully understand every aspect of the situation, often anticipating the answers within their own heads. Due to high logic, its interpretation can be quite literal, but it is soon modulated by emotional intelligence.
Conclusion
The daily life of the mind of a person with profound giftedness is marked by an intensity and complexity of thought that significantly differentiate these people from those with moderate giftedness and the general population. This difference is manifested not only in the depth and interdisciplinarity of their thoughts, but also in their rhythm and need for cognitive breaks. Understanding these nuances helps us appreciate the uniqueness of these minds and the importance of providing environments that encourage and sustain their development and well-being.
Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues MRSB holds a post-PhD in Neuroscience and is an elected member of Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honor Society (more than 200 members of Sigma Xi have received the Nobel Prize), as well as being a member of the Society for Neuroscience in the United States, the Royal Society of Biology and The Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom, the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna, Austria, and the APA – American Philosophical Association in the United States. He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Biology. He is also a Technologist in Anthropology and Philosophy, with several national and international degrees in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. Dr. Fabiano is a member of prestigious high IQ societies, including Mensa International, Intertel, ISPE High IQ Society, Triple Nine Society, ISI-Society, and HELLIQ Society High IQ. He is the author of more than 300 scientific studies and 30 books. He is currently a visiting professor at PUCRS in Brazil, UNIFRANZ in Bolivia and Santander in Mexico. He also serves as Director of CPAH – Centro de Pesquisa e Análises Heráclito and is the creator of the GIP project, which estimates IQ through the analysis of genetic intelligence. Dr. Fabiano is also a registered journalist, having his name included in the book of records for achieving four records, one of which is for being the greatest creator of characters in the history of the press.