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High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

scientificamerican.com

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Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#171

Post by thaumasiotes »

giantg2 wrote: post #64
Consultant32452 wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aptitude tests are IQ tests in a socially acceptable disguise.

Not exactly. There may be some correlation, but there are certainly people who can get in via an aptitude test who would not be able to get in using an IQ test. The testing methods are completely different.

> There may be some correlation

There is so much correlation that the correlation of an aptitude test with an IQ test is basically equal to the correlation of one IQ test with another IQ test. (Around 0.8) By any definition other than "it can't be an IQ test unless that's part of its name", the aptitude tests are IQ tests. They do not differ in function.

Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#172

Post by AlexCoventry »

toyota86 wrote: post #143
rory wrote: post #5

> It’s also possible that people who join Mensa differ from other people in ways other than just IQ. For example, people preoccupied with intellectual pursuits may spend less time than the average person on physical exercise and social interaction, both of which have been shown to have broad benefits for psychological and physical health. Is Mensa really an "intellectual pursuit"? I'm not sure exactly what Mensa does…

> people insecure enough to join an IQ-restricted club I don't understand this sentiment. There are race/ethnicity-restricted clubs, men-only clubs, athletic clubs, equestrian clubs, farmers clubs, car ownership clubs. However, when it's about IQ (something which you say you hold in disdain), suddenly out come the insults. Insecure nerds, right? They only have their insignificant test scores, they must be a despicabl…

> There is nothing wrong with one valuing their own high IQ test score.

To me it suggests someone who's more concerned with being something special than doing something interesting. It seems like a kind of narcissism, and suggests that they're probably pretty boring.

Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#173

Post by TheKnack »

rory wrote: post #5

> It’s also possible that people who join Mensa differ from other people in ways other than just IQ. For example, people preoccupied with intellectual pursuits may spend less time than the average person on physical exercise and social interaction, both of which have been shown to have broad benefits for psychological and physical health. Is Mensa really an "intellectual pursuit"? I'm not sure exactly what Mensa does…

The "My Year in Mensa" podcast is a good (and entertaining) way to understand some of what really goes on in Mensa, and what type of people are likely to join.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-year-in-mensa/id149...

Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#174

Post by astrange »

seph-reed wrote: post #98
11thEarlOfMar wrote: post #26

Long, long ago, I came to the conclusion that intelligence was inversely related to sanity. Not a scientific observation, just that people who I knew who were very smart also tended to have difficulties in more ways than the people I knew who had typical intelligence. Typical issues were depression, insecurity, difficulty relating or communicating with others, ... Certainly you can find people with these issues in al…

I spent years thinking this was hell and people were actively trying to fuck with me because I could not understand peoples ability to be ignorant... it literally was not possible in mind to be so oblivious. I've since realized that "herd mentality" is a totally functional survival mechanism, and as long as you don't think logically the other parts of the brain have no problem accepting that culture isn't just some m…

"Not being ignorant" requires studying a lot, which might be caused by relative inability to go out and play sports, or a condition like hyperlexia, or ADHD-type hyperfocus on refreshing HN.

Plus it's not always beneficial. For instance people like to heavily research before they vote in major elections but it's not like that's worth the effort.

Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#175

Post by auganov »

kauffj wrote: post #78

Gwern's Algernon Argument is relevant here: https://www.gwern.net/Drug-heuristics Logically, it's likely there must be trade-offs for higher IQs or it would have been selected for more strongly.

> or to be tantamount to training on IQ tests themselves which destroys their meaning (like memorizing vocabulary)

I have trouble understanding how people can make this point and still be big believers in (utility of?) IQs. If training for IQ tests destroys their validity they never had much in the first place.

Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#176

Post by [deleted] »

underwater wrote: post #167
GekkePrutser wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never joined Mensa but I very clearly see the thing about neglecting physical and social pursuits because they are harder than intellectual ones :) Makes sense to choose things you're naturally good in, it's not really a 'preoccupation' as such. Someone who is great at sports will tend to focus on that. It's just natural to direct yourself towards pursuits that come easily. The problem with this thing of course…

Adopting a sedentary lifestyle isn't very smart. You'd think a club of high-IQ folk would know better.

[deleted]

Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#177

Post by FabHK »

cauthon wrote: post #137
no_one_ever wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't really care one way or the other, but my impression is the group offers a setting for like-minded (read 'higher-IQ') individuals to come talk about anything and not just the thing they are there for.

> like-minded (read 'higher-IQ') individuals But what topic are they of like mind about? "High IQ" individuals might be left-wing or right-wing, religious or secular, capitalist or communist, etc. The only theme likely to be in common among all Mensa members is a pride in their IQ.

> The only theme likely to be in common among all Mensa members is a pride in their IQ.

This is wrong in two ways. 1) IQ is not among the most discussed topics, not even close; so presumably other themes are in common. 2) Pride is not the prevalent emotion, generally or specifically with regards to the own IQ.

Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#178

Post by astrange »

akvadrako wrote: post #111
kauffj wrote: post #78

Gwern's Algernon Argument is relevant here: https://www.gwern.net/Drug-heuristics Logically, it's likely there must be trade-offs for higher IQs or it would have been selected for more strongly.

Agreed, there are probably some stability concerns. But I expect the largest aspect is just energy usage. Brains use a lot of energy and until recently it was the primary limiting factor. Otherwise we would also all have more muscle mass. There doesn't seem to be much downside to that.

Humans have (IIRC nearly unique) ability to have adaptive muscle mass. Gorillas get huge muscles without needing to exercise and by only eating vegetables, but we grow and shrink with our diets.

This is helpful because it means we can survive with unpredictable diets. But there might be other benefits like heart health or avoiding cancer.

Another big issue with huge brains is that your babies take longer to develop and are very hard to give birth to.

Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#179

Post by rychco »

DaveExeter wrote: post #169
rory wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can relate to this. I put my SAT score on my resume until I was 23 or 24. Kind of embarrassing, but I was desperate for a way to show I was smart.

What's embarrassing about that? If I were hiring, I would like to know every applicant's SAT score.

You'd like to know the score your 22-24 year old candidate received on the SAT that he took when he was 17-19? How is that relevant?

Re: High IQs are associated with mental and physical disorders

#180

Post by asidiali »

chrisco255 wrote: post #126
asidiali wrote: post #112

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s not just about you. It’s about protecting those around you in your community more susceptible and vulnerable to the virus.

The RNA therapy doesn't stop you from being contagious. And yes, it IS about me, because it's something being injected into my body. We are all going to get Covid at some point, if you haven't noticed. I can't put that genie back in the bottle. If your risk profile deems that the vaccine is worth it for YOU, then YOU do it. Don't pressure other people to. Their health choices is none of your business.

I said it’s not just about you.

Some things in communities take cooperation, you know?

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