Our little everyday sentences say a lot about our way of thinking. Certain expressions recur especially among people who flee effort, change or questioning. For psychologists, these repeated expressions can betray mental habits associated with low IQ, even if they often escape the person saying them.
The intelligence quotient, developed at the beginning of the 20th century by Alfred Binet, Théodore Simon then William Stern, mainly measures reasoning, memory and verbal comprehension. However, studies show that motivation and self-regulation weigh heavily in success, even with a low IQ. When these levers are missing, seven phrases come up very often in conversations.
IQ, emotional intelligence and everyday phrases
An IQ test only captures part of intelligence ; it ignores creativity, cooperation or the management of emotions. Research conducted by the University of Illinois also indicates that people with high IQs adapt better to change. With his concept of emotional intelligence, Daniel Goleman emphasizes self-awareness and empathy, which can often be heard in the words chosen.
The 7 Phrases Frequently Associated with Low IQ
For many psychologists, the phrase “I’m not a book person“reflects a lasting rejection of reading, therefore a major source of mental stimulation. A study from Southern Methodist University, however, shows that intensive teaching improves the reading of children with low IQs.
The formulas “I can’t be bothered to…” Or “I don’t want to…” avoid the effort.
While a “It’s like this” closes the discussion and betrays a lack of curiosity.
The formula “I hate change” signals mental rigidity, where more adaptable profiles take advantage of the new.
“I’m always right” shows a lack of questioning, while a study published in Frontiers in Psychology associates open-mindedness with better intellectual performance.
Say “I don’t need help” sometimes masks the fear of appearing weak.
Finally, “It’s all their fault” avoids recognizing one’s share of responsibility, a central point of self-awareness described by Daniel Goleman.
Replace these sentences to open your thoughts, without judging yourself
Researchers in “verbal humility” have observed that phrases like “I don’t know” or “Can you tell me more?” are often found in people with a high intellectual level. Replace “I hate change” by “Change scares me, but I would like to understand” Or “I’m always right” by “This is my opinion, but I could be wrong” opens dialogue. These formulations encourage reflection, learning and cooperation.
These seven sentences are not enough to diagnose low IQ ; they mainly refer to habits of thought forged by education and lived experiences. Everyone can pronounce them sometimes without it calling into question their intelligence. The challenge is to identify those that come back repeatedly, to see the fear or weariness that they reflect, then to replace them with formulations that leave more room for nuance, responsibility and curiosity.