The word ‘intelligent’ gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean?

As a society, we both prize intelligence and doubt its existence. We praise people for their intelligence but also say that hard work is more important.

Do we even have a common definition of what intelligence is?

On one hand, intelligence seems confined to the academic realm. Intelligent people go to elite universities like Cambridge and Harvard. They’re good at writing papers and creating mathematical theories. When you hear the word ‘intelligent’, this is what springs to mind at first.

Yet we also acknowledge that intelligence doesn’t start and end at academic ability. We use the term ‘emotional intelligence’ to describe those with excellent people skills, although admittedly this doesn’t tend to carry the same prestige. We often describe figures such as Lionel Messi or Leonardo da Vinci as ‘geniuses’ due to the contributions they brought to their fields.

And where does intelligence come from anyway? Is it from the genes and brains we inherit? Or is it something which is developed through hard work and grit?

This is a topic that fascinates me, and I’m often hesitant to describe anybody as being ‘intelligent’ or ‘clever’ due to the complications. Here are my thoughts on the topic.

Innate ability

Intelligence is strongly associated with IQ. IQ is an acronym for ‘intelligence quotient’: a score derived from standardized tests to measure cognitive abilities. It is often used to test for whether children are ‘gifted’ — the implicit assumption is that everyone possesses an innate ability which can be measured.

Many people who are undoubtedly intelligent have high IQs; clearly, IQ tests are on to something. But do they really measure innate ability? There is some evidence that IQ tests are more likely to correlate with intelligence than to measure intelligence directly. Angela Duckworth found that motivation to do well on the tests may be the determining factor of a high score rather than underlying intelligence.

Does this mean that there is no genetic component of intelligence?

It seems difficult to argue that everyone is born equal when it comes to brainpower and that what we perceive as intelligence is shaped solely by environment and motivation. In a world obsessed with hustling and determination, this is perhaps an uncomfortable truth.

Imperial College researchers found two gene networks which are believed to control intelligence:

“They liken the gene network to a football team. When all the players are in the right positions, the brain appears to function optimally, leading to clarity of thought and what we think of as quickness or cleverness.”

There is also evidence that DNA testing can predict intelligence.

Hard work

Of course, this doesn’t mean that working hard won’t improve our lot. Hard workers may well outperform those who are naturally smart. Books such as ‘Mindset’ by Carol Dweck, ‘Bounce’ by Matthew Syed, and ‘Grit’ by Angela Duckworth popularize the idea that intelligence is almost irrelevant when compared to a strong work ethic.

I’m a big proponent of the growth mindset, which encompasses the idea that we can work on our skills and eventually master anything.

It seems likely that attitude and environment are more important than innate ability. But surely the ideal combination would be a mix of both?

From a young age, I’ve been drawn to reading and writing rather than science and sports. I’m sure that, if I’d really wanted to become an athlete or scientist and I’d put in the hours necessary, I could have achieved it. But if I put the same amount of effort into reading and writing, could I achieve a lot more? I think so.

It’s important to promote the growth mindset and the importance of grit. Most of the ‘prodigies’ of the world, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Serena Williams, claim to have gotten where they are due solely to their work ethic. In fact, most successful people would be insulted at the suggestion that their genes played a role in their achievements.

Yet we shouldn’t forget that our natural inclinations and abilities are probably sending us a strong signal. Just because we can master anything we want to if we put in the work, it doesn’t mean that doing so would guarantee us a fulfilling life.

The eight intelligences model

Whether intelligence is hereditary or down to hard work, the question remains of how exactly intelligence can be defined. Is it about academic ability and sharpness, or are things more complex than that?

According to the Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner, multiple intelligence types can be identified:

Visual-spatial — ability to visualize the outer world

Linguistic-Verbal — reasoning with words

Interpersonal — understanding of other people

Intrapersonal — understanding of yourself

Logical-mathematical — reasoning with numbers and logic

Musical — ability to pick out musical notes and sounds

Bodily-Kinesthetic — the mind-body connection

Naturalistic — sensitivity to nature and the world

This proves that intelligence is multi-faceted. Many people believe they are unintelligent because they lack logical-mathematical or linguistic-verbal intelligence — which are prized more highly in our society — but they may demonstrate high intelligence in another area.

For instance, the naturalistic and visual-spatial intelligence types are highly undervalued by Western society. In contrast, more traditional cultures view intelligence as being an understanding of nature and community rituals.

I think I’m strongest in intrapersonal intelligence — I have a very strong idea of what I want and what’s important to me. I also have good linguistic-verbal intelligence, which is why I’m drawn to writing. I’m a disaster when it comes to naturalistic, bodily-kinesthetic, and visual-spatial intelligence.

Many people find it bemusing that I can achieve high test scores yet struggle to do things which are seen as ‘basic’, such as driving or using a map. Gardner’s theory explains why this is possible.

To sum up

For years I believed that intelligence is irrelevant compared to environmental factors and work ethic but I’ve now realized that life is more complex and nuanced than that.

The evidence is clear that a large part of intelligence is genetic. Yet, although it seems contradictory, grit and determination are probably more important than innate intelligence. There are people who have relied solely on their motivation and risen to the top of their field because they saw it as the only route to success. Not many people put in zero effort and rise to the top because of their genes.

However, I believe that more fulfillment can be achieved by focusing on innate abilities — these are the things that not only we excel in more easily, but which we feel naturally drawn to.