It really pisses me off to hear people talk about IQ and who's the smartest etc... I only got two words for this. UTTER *******T.
It is physically impossible to measure knowledge or IQ... You can't put a score on thoughts. Different people have different minds and strong points. Let me give you an example, If you were to compare the knowledge of a lawyer and a fitness expert (me) you would come to the conclusion that I don't know a single **** about his job and would look like a retard if put in his shoes in a courtroom. Just like he doesn't know **** about fitness and probably thinks protein supplementation is dangerous like most non lifters that haven't ever lifted anything in their life.
The point is that everyone educates theirselves in things they are interested in. An old man somewhere in a village in Africa that can't write or read can have an immense larger amount of life knowledge then a western "genius" that graduated 20 universities.
School doesn't make you "smarter", using your brain makes you "smarter". The thing is that most things in life just require logical thinking and you don't have to be a genius to see certain truths hidden in plain sight. Think outside of the box and you might just learn something in life. **** following the herd... one thousand idiots can't convince the one thinker.

Yea if you can't apply your knowledge in the real world and learn from it then it ain't any use.

IQ tests are usually an overall knowledge of things I guess

Actually, in this country, IQ tests are given very young for a reason.
Before children have been over-socialized, the tests are all
about the ability to figure things out, not based on pure
knowledge or facts or taught things one learns as one grows.

And, it has been my experience that people with high IQ's do
indeed seem to have a better grasp of logic and consistent
learning abilities.

This is not to say they are equally effective socially.
And true, one man's expertise in any given area can supersede
his potential in other areas.

Then there is street smarts versus school smarts.
Don't get me started there..

I was thinking of street smarts vs school smarts and I'm fortunate enough to have a lot of experience in.both

Me...I am the biggest smartass person I know..lol

I would think a balance between the two would be optimal :-)
(I do believe I may have NO street smarts hahaha.)

IQ tests don't determine "who's the smartest", they rate cognitive ability as it compares to the general population...The tests use a standardized scale with a median score of 100...When testing children, age is also factored in....Ability to problem solve and understand concepts is what is being measured...Stuff like reasoning, how well we store and retrieve information, and understanding relationships between things...IQ scores have nothing to do with "quantity" of knowledge and everything to do with genetic and environmental factors...It's true that IQ tests don't measure things like creativity, social skills or, as you pointed out, wisdom, but the measurement of cognitive ability (a person's IQ) has been proven to be a pretty accurate indicator of intellectual ability....

I suppose, seeing someone get butthurt over a low score, is alot better than seeing someone brag about a score so high as to be off the charts.

The highest score recognized and recorded by the A.P.A., is 189.
While an IQ of 90 or lower, is considered retarded.

Actually, I do have a bone to pick with IQ tests.

As you say Leigh, it tests problem solving skills and other similar cognitive skills.

But tbh those cognitive skills do change over time with learning and so on. The best an IQ test can tell you is the potential you have at that given time in your life. And because the test is timed, it only measures relative speed in performing certain cognitive tasks. There are deep thinkers and there are fast thinkers.

So who would you think is smarter? The guy who thinks fast on his feet or the guy that chews on a thought for a while? I'd say both are just as smart... the tortoise and the rabbit, you might say. ;-)

I did forget to add one thing. The very inventor of the IQ test didn't believe intelligence was fixed nor that the test should be applied to the general population as a way of ranking them mentally. Here's a quick blurb on that:

http://www.learningrx.com/iq-test.htm

It doesn't matter what percentage you got in whatever test the world have to determine how smart or brainy you are. It's not like when you buy something in the market you will use De Moivre's theorem (wtf was that?! lol ). For my opinion, being knowledgeable to everything under the sun is better than focusing on a certain area. Because in the end of the day what you use in your daily living is just a basic knowledge that everyone should know. Life is simple don't make it complicated.

For real...my son was...a troubled kid..?...anyway the "system" kicked in and after awhile they brought in the third worlds greatest brain analyst...the doctor did his test..the "system"...and myself waited for the results...lmao!!!!...the doc explained the details and I walked out of that room feeling like a step lower than God...his measurement of my sons intelligence..too smart for his age...ect...he told the courts to back up...this boy is going to be someone...made my day...

I agree with your op if you are trained to have the knowledge of one particular thing you do in your life that works for many ...IQ tests are usually an overall knowledge of things that may be true but some freak when it comes to out right IQ tests and can really be smarter then the test shows... an sometimes in life we are trained for one thing so we can be that smart on that individual thing... but for instance take a athlete they have trained for one thing only and if they get hurt... some loose their self esteem and feel they can not do any thing else ... all depends on the person another for instance these days i do not believe it is good to put your eggs in one basket... with to many learning job skills where there may be no call for their degrees for hiring positions ... or to many doing the same and stand with nothing in wait ... my child was exceptionable in school but did not want to take those classes afraid of looking like a nerd finally she put for what she did have and made great presidents and Vic presidents in some of the groups and also ran part of the office each day ...no I am not a proud mother at all lmao but i will tell you one thing she did ... I suggested she take the test for the national guards... well she failed but then I new she did not want to do that ... becouse I know she is very smart... lol she was not fooling me ...

anything that "measures" people will alienate and divide people...

what has proven that IQ tests create A BETTER SOCIETY FOR ALL, would be the question at large.

they are accepted in many circles, but what is the agenda of the circles they are accepted in...

the Nazi regime recruited all the "highest" IQ's to work for them, to create a "advanced race"...

and just what "advanced race" did subscribing to such actually create.

for any society that allow's it fellow citizens to be measured from lowest to highest greatness, will soon find anything less than highest greatness to be deemed as disposable and as a tumor on the side of society.

for if anything can be used in a society as even an inference as to which "people" be of less value, or more value, such will surely be used in that capacity by all manner of those that deem them self the "greatest" of society, which will naturally always be that which sit's atop the great lever's of power.

IQ tests were quite possibly one of the most destructive forces ever introduced and implemented upon a unsuspecting unaware populace, that destroyed cohesive unity and emotional equality of all peoples amongst a society that uses them.

peace

Science is actually moving away from the acceptance of standardized "IQ" testing and is recognizing that there are as many as nine types of intelligence; the concept is called the "Multiple Intelligences Theory" and there's tons of academic content about it.

This is the best summary I've found about it:

http://skyview.vansd.org/lschmidt/Projects/The%20Nine%20Types%20of%20Intelligence.htm




Here's a quick test for one to determine their type of intelligence:

http://psychology.about.com/library/quiz/bl-mi-quiz.htm

I could not open the first link but I did take the test! ...

Here is another excellent article/review on MI theory...

http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/109007/chapters/The-Foundations-of-MI-Theory.aspx

@ leigh:

WOW. The hotlink isn't working...hmmmm.

It works if you cut-and-paste it, though. It's short, sweet, and succinct which is why I like it:


"1. Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”)

Designates the human ability to discriminate among living things (plants, animals) as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world (clouds, rock configurations). This ability was clearly of value in our evolutionary past as hunters, gatherers, and farmers; it continues to be central in such roles as botanist or chef. It is also speculated that much of our consumer society exploits the naturalist intelligences, which can be mobilized in the discrimination among cars, sneakers, kinds of makeup, and the like.


2. Musical Intelligence (“Musical Smart”)

Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone. This intelligence enables us to recognize, create, reproduce, and reflect on music, as demonstrated by composers, conductors, musicians, vocalist, and sensitive listeners. Interestingly, there is often an affective connection between music and the emotions; and mathematical and musical intelligences may share common thinking processes. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are usually singing or drumming to themselves. They are usually quite aware of sounds others may miss.


3. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart)

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complete mathematical operations. It enables us to perceive relationships and connections and to use abstract, symbolic thought; sequential reasoning skills; and inductive and deductive thinking patterns. Logical intelligence is usually well developed in mathematicians, scientists, and detectives. Young adults with lots of logical intelligence are interested in patterns, categories, and relationships. They are drawn to arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments.


4. Existential Intelligence

Sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.


5. Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart”)

Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and interact effectively with others. It involves effective verbal and nonverbal communication, the ability to note distinctions among others, sensitivity to the moods and temperaments of others, and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives. Teachers, social workers, actors, and politicians all exhibit interpersonal intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are leaders among their peers, are good at communicating, and seem to understand others’ feelings and motives.


6. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”)

Bodily kinesthetic intelligence is the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills. This intelligence also involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind–body union. Athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople exhibit well-developed bodily kinesthetic intelligence.


7. Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart)

Linguistic intelligence is the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings. Linguistic intelligence allows us to understand the order and meaning of words and to apply meta-linguistic skills to reflect on our use of language. Linguistic intelligence is the most widely shared human competence and is evident in poets, novelists, journalists, and effective public speakers. Young adults with this kind of intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles.


8. Intra-personal Intelligence (Self Smart”)

Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings, and to use such knowledge in planning and directioning one’s life. Intra-personal intelligence involves not only an appreciation of the self, but also of the human condition. It is evident in psychologist, spiritual leaders, and philosophers. These young adults may be shy. They are very aware of their own feelings and are self-motivated.


9. Spatial Intelligence (“Picture Smart”)

Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination. Sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects all exhibit spatial intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence may be fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spend free time drawing or daydreaming."


Fascinating stuff!