Speaking with intonation, maintaining eye contact, and smiling often… are simple tips that can make you appear smarter in the eyes of others.
Forget those thick glasses and heavy books that make you look like a “scholar” because science has uncovered unexpectedly simple ways to help you “look smarter.”
1. Speak with Intonation
It’s a fact that how you speak greatly influences what others think of you. If you speak too slowly, people may perceive you as insincere; if your tone is too high, they might think you are anxious.
Psychological research concludes that if you want to be perceived as trustworthy and smarter, you should speak with intonation. Speaking with intonation means varying your pitch and volume rhythmically while knowing when to pause. This will help you appear more trustworthy and confident in the eyes of others.
Some studies show that people express emotions not only through facial expressions but also through their voices. Instinctively, listeners conclude that a lower voice indicates sadness, while a higher pitch usually signals anger or fear.
You can improve by focusing on how you speak. Adjust your pitch and volume appropriately to convey your emotions to those around you and emphasize important words. Listening to news on TV and mimicking the broadcaster’s speech for 10 minutes a day can also be beneficial.
2. Learn to Make Eye Contact
Westerners believe that those who make more eye contact are more self-confident. Additionally, individuals who can maintain eye contact are often viewed as having strong leadership qualities, less anxiety, and greater intelligence than those who do not look directly at their conversation partners.
However, staring into someone’s face while talking can sometimes frighten them.
If you’re not careful, you might make the mistake of staring too intensely, which could unsettle the other person. So, what constitutes normal and adequate eye contact? It depends on the context. Generally, we maintain more eye contact in one-on-one conversations than in group discussions.
In group settings, we typically look into someone’s eyes for about 3-5 seconds, but during a private conversation, this can extend to 7-10 seconds before glancing away.
Research indicates that the ideal amount of time to look into someone else’s eyes is between 30% and 60% of the time. This percentage may increase if you are listening more than speaking, or decrease if you are the main speaker in the dialogue.
3. Stay Up Later
Intelligent people often have a habit of staying up late and waking up early. A study examining the sleep habits of 20,745 American youth found that those deemed “less intelligent” typically went to bed at 11:41 PM and woke at 7:20 AM. In contrast, “smarter” individuals usually slept at 12:29 AM and woke up at 7:52 AM.
Common thinking suggests that intelligent people stay up late to study, write essays, or prepare reports for deadlines the next morning. However, this reflects an evolutionary trend—smarter individuals are often the first to change their habits as their brains seek novelty.
Perhaps, since humans primarily operate during the day, smarter individuals work at night to avoid interruptions from those who are “less intelligent.”
4. Smile Often
Research has found a correlation between feelings of happiness or anger and the “degree” of intelligence reflected on a person’s face. Accordingly, intelligent people tend to smile more than those who are considered “less intelligent.”
This also applies to a person’s level of trustworthiness. While individuals with less intelligent-looking faces may display angry or irritated expressions, intelligent individuals often have bright faces and radiant smiles.
5. Always Believe You Are Intelligent
As long as you have faith, it will become reality. When people believe they can be smarter, they tend to seek out new knowledge and ask unconventional questions.
Conversely, if intelligence is viewed as a fixed trait that cannot be changed, we may become complacent with our current state and lack the desire to learn new things. Therefore, with belief in oneself, you can achieve the “level” of intelligence you desire.
6. Work the Harder Way
Technology has simplified our lives significantly. However, scientists suggest that working the harder way can actually enhance your intelligence.
For example, while the usefulness of GPS devices in determining direction is undeniable, being overly reliant on them will prevent you from learning how to navigate independently.
Try putting away the GPS and figuring out your route on your own to improve your navigation skills. Choosing the more challenging approach to completing a task will train your brain and significantly boost your intelligence.
7. Speak Honestly About What You Know
When caught in a heated debate with friends, you may find yourself at a disadvantage if the discussion revolves around gaps in your knowledge.
You can acknowledge that you genuinely don’t know about a particular issue; however, to maintain an appearance of intelligence, focus on what you do know.
If you are in a debate, avoid concentrating on the disagreements between you and instead gradually point out what you know about the topic while still engaging in the discussion with others.
