In many film and television productions, main characters are often depicted as highly intelligent individuals with cold, introverted personalities who are typically not adept at social interactions.
In real life, those who are extremely intelligent seem to share similar traits. They often dislike participating in group activities. Although they may be quiet, every word they say is precise and logical.
Sociologists point out that individuals with high intelligence tend to adapt better to group life, as managing and maintaining group relationships is an intellectual activity in itself. However, they also live relatively independently. This may explain why some successful people prefer to spend time alone.
Dr. Carol Graham from the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., a major organization focused on research, indicates that the reason high-IQ individuals avoid social activities is that they believe boring social interactions diminish their life satisfaction and distract them from pursuing what they truly enjoy.
Moreover, they think differently from the average person and seem not to feel the need for friends or social engagements. Their tendencies are in stark contrast to the views of the majority.
1. The Feeling of Oppression from the Group
When individuals are in group relationships, they cannot control the group’s collective spirit. This type of solidarity does not allow any accidents to occur. An individual’s independent will and creative thinking are often seen as destructive to group cohesion. Therefore, when you are different, you may be oppressed and ostracized by the group.
Highly intelligent individuals who are accustomed to being alone tend to instinctively avoid noisy environments. (Illustrative image).
This phenomenon is known as “collective oppression” – when the power of the group surpasses that of the individual, the individual is easily oppressed.
For those with high IQs, independent thinking and personal creativity can make collective life mentally exhausting, causing them discomfort and a desire to escape from such an environment.
In contrast, individuals with a poor inner world, unclear self-worth, and ambiguous life goals may rely more on groups to obtain the comfort of feeling that “we are all the same.”
Highly intelligent individuals often possess independent thinking and a rich inner world. They recognize their self-worth in various ways and prefer solitude, immersing themselves in thought. A quiet environment helps them think creatively, while group settings can hinder their process.
Therefore, we can view their antisocial behavior as a manifestation of self-satisfaction and self-esteem.
Famous psychologist Trotter pointed out: “Individuals with very high intelligence often feel oppressed by the crowd, leading them to avoid contact with average people. This, to some extent, is also a manifestation of their self-satisfaction and self-esteem.”
Observing these elite individuals, you’ll find that most of them tend to live introspectively, similar to how psychologist Carl Gustav Jung described introverted and extroverted personality types: The essence of distinguishing between introversion and extroversion is not just about how much a person talks, but more importantly, where the individual finds spiritual satisfaction.
Introverts tend to draw energy from their inner world. Such individuals excel at deep thinking, seek answers through reading, and are accustomed to self-reflection. They are very interested in activities and skills that enrich their inner world.
In contrast, extroverts derive energy from the external environment. They dislike solitude and pursue a vibrant social life. Thus, introverts may create an impression of being detached, and their state of self-satisfaction is often viewed as confusing by average individuals, making social interaction seem uninteresting and dull.
2. Lower Emotional Needs
Individuals with high IQs, accustomed to being alone, tend to instinctively avoid noisy environments. They may hesitate in social interactions, tend to disregard the behaviors of those around them, and focus solely on topics and situations that interest them. This can make them seem alienated and lead others to perceive them as indifferent and distant.
Although these highly intelligent introverts may lack social skills, they tend to manage their emotions better than those who thrive in group settings. In contrast, those with lower IQs often exhibit weak emotional control and can be impulsive. Their emotional expressions are primarily self-centered, often venting negative feelings without consideration for others.
Highly intelligent individuals, on the other hand, typically possess strong emotional regulation. Their expression of emotions is aimed at problem-solving. Most of them have rational thinking and do not exhibit clear emotional breakdowns, which is why they can come across as cold to others.
They tend to engage in more meaningful issues rather than participate in trivial social activities, leading to a smaller circle of friends. They know how to seize opportunities in work, set goals, and are not swayed by emotions. Together with their independent thinking and strong problem-solving abilities, this helps them achieve their goals and succeed in society.
