Is it normal that people who find out my iq have a negative response

65% Normal
16 Comments

I've had my IQ professionally tested twice - scoring 160 and 172. I know that's really high, but hardly feel like I know it all. I've only admitted my IQ, when the topic was brought up by someone else, to a few people (all close to me) and each time I can sense they are uncomfortable in some way. So, I've learned just not to respond with any details if the topic comes up.

So, is it normal that people would react negatively if they learned someone they know has a very high IQ.

Voting Results
65% Normal
Based on 23 votes (15 yes)
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Comments ( 16 )
  • zsdworknman
    9 years ago

    They stopped doing legitimate iq testing in the 90's so I question the honesty already also the best testing to gauge intelligence is the MENSA test you should try it but they only accept the top 2% of test scores to be a member.

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    • [Old Memory]
      9 years ago

      Do you know what the legit IQ tests called? It would be interesting to find an actual copy of one. I've taken the Wechsler test and the Woodcock-Johnson test. The results were very inconsistent.

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      • Anonymous Post Author
        9 years ago

        My employer tested me. The first test they gave me was the Stanford-Binet test (know this because they let me keep my scoring summary sheet). This is a pretty standard test and Mensa accepts people who score 132 or better (top 2%). I don't recall (and not sure they told me) the name of the second test they gave me. But they said it was designed to more accurately measure high IQ. I suspect it was also designed to better identify my aptitudes, so they could evaluate options of where to assign me.

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        • [Old Memory]
          9 years ago

          What benefits does Mensa give? I'm pretty sure I could pass, depending on the test given. My IQ range is pretty scattered between different categories. It would be fun to take their test though.

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  • ilovetoiletrolls
    9 years ago

    Hmm maybe they just think you're an asshole. *ponders deeply*

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  • [Old Memory]
    9 years ago

    They are either intimidated by your intelligence, or they don't believe you. It's not too unheard of to have a high iq, but intelligent people seem stupid to dumb people so they think they must be dumb too.

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  • Koda
    9 years ago

    I learned this lesson pretty early on too. I think people just expect people with genius level IQs to seem more... I dunno... with it? :)

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  • wistfulmaiden
    9 years ago

    It depends...how many times does your IQ come up in conversations? If you're bragging about it maybe they find it off putting.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      Seems like it only comes up every few years. The last two times I was asked outright if I knew my IQ - both times from someone I had been dating for a while. I would imagine my response sounded more guarded, hoping they wouldn't think of me as odd, than sounding boastful. I clearly think through things differently than most people, so significant others figure out I'm different.

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      • wistfulmaiden
        9 years ago

        In that case maybe they just find it intimidating. I went to "gifted" classes from first grade through third and your IQ had to be 140... Later on some kids tried to say they were special classes for retarded kids, maybe they were jealous . Don't let it bother you.

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  • green_boogers
    9 years ago

    I belong to MENSA. Please consider joining. We would enjoy your participation.

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  • TrustMeImLying
    9 years ago

    People still bring up IQ in conversation? Strange. Besides internet insults such as youtube comments, the last I witnessed the word IQ being used was back in high school when it was commonly used to brag, more than anything else.

    Revealing your high IQ puts you on a pedestal, which most often makes people self-conscious. Not to mention intelligent people are often conceited, so they may just be conditioned to react negatively. Tons of other possibilities. Not responding with details is a good idea. I honestly don't see any reason why anyone should throw around their IQ score in a casual setting unless you want to risk possibly alienating people.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      It's come up a couple times recently. This is why I thought to ask the question on IIN. One time was when people were talking about a news bit about a school kid in a disadvantaged neighborhood who scored higher than Einstein. The other time was when a friend on Facebook posted a link to one of those "what's my IQ" quizzes. Those quizzes are bogus, by the way.

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  • Mytwin295
    9 years ago

    I used to think that having an IQ of 158 made me special or something (as if I had some kind of super power) but then the docs told me I had ADHD and acute OCD.

    Personally I think people who say negative things towards people with high IQ's are just jealous because theirs is lower.

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    • Koda
      9 years ago

      I think so too

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  • hellogoldfish7
    9 years ago

    I have a high IQ, too-- not as high as yours, but still high enough that it's made people uncomfortable. It is a common reaction for people to feel awkward about the subject of intelligence in general, especially when an outlier is brought up :) It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you, though!

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