- [Narrator] When you think of a highly intelligent person,
what kind of habits come to mind?
You might think of a brainiac wearing glasses,
reading, books, and studying.
But did you know that there are other,
lesser-known habits they engage in?
Here are five odd habits
highly intelligent people have.
Number one, they are night owls.
What time are you most active?
Research shows, that night owls
are more intelligent than those with regular sleep cycles.
A 2009 study, published in the
Journal of Personality and Individual Differences,
found that high childhood IQ
was associated with nocturnal behavior in adulthood.
The authors theorized,
that humans didn't evolve for nocturnal activity
but highly intelligent people
often choose to live life their own way,
rather than sticking to societal conventions.
So instead of being active when everyone else is awake,
they stay up late,
when they have no obligations or distractions
so they can pursue their goals more productively.
Number two, they are disorganized.
How much structure do you like in your life?
You might think that plans, schedules, and systems,
are a sign of intelligence
but research suggests, it's the other way around.
Studies have found, that the personality trait,
that has the strongest link
with high intelligence is low conscientiousness.
This means they have a preference
for disorder and flexibility,
rather than organization and routine.
Researchers believe, that highly intelligent people
don't need rules, plans, and reminders,
as they're smart enough to figure it out,
and manage themselves.
Sometimes, order even restricts
their freedom and originality.
Number three, they are loaners.
How much time do you spend alone?
A study published in the British Journal of Psychology
showed that highly intelligent people
spent a great deal of time alone.
They have many goals to pursue,
to make the most of their abilities and ambitions
which reduces the time they spend socializing.
On the plus side, they tend to be quite satisfied with this,
as working on long-term objectives
gives them a form of happiness that nothing else can.
Highly intelligent people are not only loaners,
they're happy being loaners.
Number four, they daydream.
How much do you focus on the task at hand?
You might think that highly intelligent people,
always have a strong focus,
so that they can accomplish their objectives.
But a 2013 study, published in Frontiers in Psychology,
suggests that mind-wandering,
is another form of intelligent thinking,
and that daydreaming should be seen,
as a positive and constructive mental technique,
not a distraction.
Highly intelligent people use daydreaming
to plan for the future,
explore creative solutions,
and enhance the learning of new information.
Some researchers even suggest,
that the attention demanded
by modern schools and workplaces,
is hurting our intelligence
because it reduces our capacity,
for mental reflection and daydreaming.
And number five, they talk to themselves.
What do you think
when you see someone talking to themselves?
It might look a bit odd from the outside
but researchers believe,
that this habit is actually a useful technique,
used by highly intelligent people.
In a study published,
in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology,
it was found to improve,
visual perception and understanding.
Talking out loud,
allows the brain to retrieve information more efficiently,
which helps to interpret the environment around you,
find objects, and explore ideas.
So when you see someone talking to themselves,
they might be a highly intelligent person,
using this technique, to think of solutions and ideas,
much faster than everyone else.
So there you have it.
Five odd habits, highly intelligent people have.
Do you relate to any of the habits
mentioned in this article?
Let us know in the comments below,
and don't forget to like, and share this video,
if you think someone else will find it interesting.
As always the studies and references used,
are listed in the description below.
Until next time,
and thanks for watching.