How to Know Your I.Q. Level without Taking the Test & Brainy Stories by Billy J. Burton - HTML preview

1. What Do All the Gifted Have in Common?

The brain structure of the Gifted69-169 differs from that of the Neurotypicals, in this manner they

are considered neurodivergent256 (distinct from the neurological standards).

The higher the I.Q. rank, the higher the discrepancy between all the mental abilities 178 exhibited by the same person. This leads to uneven cognitive profiles, with stronger and weaker domains

(not necessarily demonstrated in sanctioned I.Q. subtests), particularly at the Profoundly Gifted

level. In addition, the higher one is positioned on the giftedness spectrum, the less intelligence is

specialized 180.

Among the gifted population, extra interconnections between certain key areas of the brain169

coupled with faster neurons69 are present, in this way, enhancing effectiveness and speed.

Similarly, atypical sleep patterns 161 161 which enable brain flexibility and better memorization

facilitate early development in speech, movement and reading in infants.

Undeniably, gifted individuals show a very distinctive sleep pattern of six cycles 161, instead of

four, along with a higher rate of REM (paradoxical) sleep161 and greater frequency of rapid eye movement161 during dream phases. During REM sleep cycles serotonin production gets

stalled 161. This may partly explain the higher chance of depression among gifted people.

The Gifted also exhibit strong memories of personal life events filled with many sensory details

and emotions292.

In a nutshell, gifted individuals have the flexibility of a child’s brain in a fully-grown body.

Gifted people exceedingly resort to abstract thinking 293 370 , they tend to overthink and analyze

every possible outcome. No matter the topic, their brains never stop churning.

Excruciatingly self-aware and conscious of their own limits 294, usually interested in science and

difficult topics, quite well-read in matters they are passionate about, they love intellectual

stimulations190 162 and even show craving for knowledge in the upper ranges. Their raw brain

power permits them to conduct several tasks simultaneously293 (for instance, studying while listening to a conversation).

They display what is known as low latent inhibition61-63 of the brain: their mental functioning being more adaptable, most sensory stimuli are continuously taken into account by the brain. In

that way, the brain keeps processing data, even if not necessarily fully consciously; nonetheless,

it creates a constant state of vigilance61 of the entire nervous system which augments its fragility.

Gifted people show difficulty letting go and falling asleep 163, being hypersensitive they are also prone to frustrations173.

This aforementioned early and rapid brain development occasions greater predispositions to

mood and anxiety disorders164-179-180-202 164 , as well as some neurological dysfunctions such as

dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and many other learning disabilities which tend to be somewhat balanced by high intelligence343 so as not to be that conspicuous to the untrained eye.

The Gifted have higher occurrences of immune dysfunctions the “hyper 164 -brain / hyper- body”

link which triggers unusual body responses. There’s intensified existence of high functioning

autism164-165 in that population as well.

Goals, in the gifted ranges are wide-ranging, life altering and may take a lifetime to achieve

learning one or several foreign languages, authoring a book, understanding quantum physics, inventing a new device, finding a cure, protecting the environment etc.

Of course, gifted people don’t always complete these goals, but they linger on their minds,

whether in imagination or in reality.

Gifted individuals, in the higher ranges, display some degree of social awkwardness linked to

harboring a distinct set of values and interests321-324 from those of the average person. So, unless

they are lucky enough to work in a high-brow field, full of high I.Q. peers, they will find

themselves in a group, whose functioning feels unnatural, which can be overwhelming, especially with the inconsistencies in most people’s behaviors and ethics. Moreover, their

difficulties in the workplace, are magnified by their inability to follow authority blindly166.

In spite of those struggles, gifted people’s connections to others are strong and innate 178-179-180, they are easily chosen as confidents. Similarly, feeling that humane kinship deeply, they are

generally more helpful and kinder than Neurotypicals167, unless aggravated by somebody or

something.

On the other hand, the Gifted apply dark humor168, wit and irony a lot to communicate so as to

put a safe distance between themselves and others.

Since they care a great deal about everything and everybody to the point of constantly being busy

analyzing, examining, scrutinizing, inspecting, searching, checking etc…the gifted are always more impassioned and emotional than average121. Their nervous system is ceaselessly assaulted

by stimuli that are difficult to ignore, creating what is known in psychology as

“overexcitabilities”108 and the resulting emotional and mental intensity.

However, surprisingly resilient170 in spite of their habitual emotional distress, they tend to show a

lower rate of serious psychiatric illnesses but, then again, a higher frequency of anxiety

disorders, depression, allergies and autism 164 than in the average population.

Extremely realistic about themselves and life in general, they seem to be in a sort of constant sorrow about what might have been or deprived of the existence they had dreamt to lead. Yet,

very idealistic in their hopes and dreams, they often fantasize about greatness or power to change the world to their liking, usually for the common good.

Important projects are preceded by some kind of anxious anticipation, for gifted people have

trouble staying in the present, constantly thinking about the future or the past, thus triggering

hyperactivity or boredom together with strong impatience 363-370.

Almost equally masculine and feminine 111-141 in their inner feelings and sometimes even in their

appearance, they are both geared towards action and sensation.

The most noteworthy quality, as I.Q. scores grow, is an increasing openness to experience147-162.

It doesn’t necessarily mean risk-taking, but it denotes quite an adventurous propensity for trying new food, discovering new places, encountering new persons, new cultures, traveling etc….

At the same time, these folks are natural-born creators 171-172-179 or very interested in the arts,

harmony, and aesthetics293. They frequently display strong artistic talents in music, drawing,

painting, or story-telling etc…. furthermore, extremely creative, and inventive people almost always enjoy remarkably high I.Q. levels171-172.

Morality and selflessness293 come with the territory in giftedness, the higher one's I.Q. level, usually the higher one's moral principles 179-234 365 . Yet, some famous villains were gifted, but

seemed to have chosen a distinct set of values to abide to, so as to still regard themselves as

decent folks.

A word about Gifted people’s physique and their development as toddlers:

Their bodies are fitter and more symmetrical 132 111 , their faces are more androgynous and

expressive302 114 , with a more focused and intense gaze, than those of Neurotypicals, thanks to

heightened emotions293.

A slightly higher proportion of them are taller than average175. They also tend to display messy

handwriting174 210 due to asynchronous developmentof their brains and bodies as well as a

propensity to daydream175.

As infants, they frequently started standing up and talking earlier175-176 than the average person, never resorting to baby-talk207 293 . They were highly curious toddlers, with an intense gaze,

always asking why things are the way they are. They learned how to read years before 176 their

age peers, sometimes by teaching themselves 195. They matured intellectually before the emotional component of their personality was able to measure up293.

What sets them apart?

Apart from these shared characteristics, one may notice greater differences among the Gifted than among members of other ranges298-307. This is due to their higher intelligence in certain

particular fields122. Since intelligence is never evenly distributed across different domains in a

person's brain, some individuals may be, for example, excellent at math while others are more at

ease with psychology or languages. This creates, among gifted individuals, specific profiles with uneven skills, occasionally, making it hard for the untrained eye to perceive overall aptitude.