Psychologist Dea Franck highlights ten common characteristics of highly gifted individuals, emphasizing that understanding one’s own high IQ can be empowering. Franck, who initially doubted her own high IQ score, now specializes in high giftedness and has written extensively on the subject.
Franck notes that many highly gifted individuals underestimate their abilities and often apologize for themselves. This lack of self-awareness can hinder their career advancement and social interactions.
The ten characteristics of high giftedness include:
- Fast learning: Rapidly acquiring new knowledge without extensive repetition.
- Sharp reasoning: Possessing a strong ability for logical thinking and problem-solving.
- Excellent memory: Retaining information and experiences over long periods.
- Abstract thinking: Easily comprehending and working with complex concepts.
- Well-developed language: Exhibiting a rich vocabulary and precise communication skills.
- Pronounced curiosity: Demonstrating an inherent desire to explore and question.
- Perfectionistic traits: Setting high standards and being self-critical.
- Strong sense of justice: Displaying moral awareness and a commitment to ethical issues.
- Sharp observational skills: Noticing details often missed by others.
- Intensity: Reacting intensely emotionally and sensually.
Professor Emeritus Erik Lykke Mortensen emphasizes that intelligence significantly impacts life opportunities. A high IQ provides advantages in education and social settings, contradicting the misconception that it leads to social awkwardness.
Franck also points out that a common challenge for highly gifted individuals is their tendency to point out errors, which can be perceived negatively in the workplace. Understanding their high giftedness can help them manage this trait and communicate more effectively.
Franck found a sense of belonging and community in Mensa after discovering her high IQ. This realization allowed her to better understand herself and connect with like-minded individuals, while she keeps her specific score private.