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Question: What is the best indication of intelligence!?
What do you look for when assessing whether or not a person is smart!? What is the best sign!?

Some examples: A quick wit/sense of humor!. Ability to use resources available to them!. Knowledge about a broad range of subjects!. Extensive knowledge about just one subject (their field, e!.g!.)!. Math skills!. A high vocabulary/an articulate speaker!. Ability to analyze/deconstruct an argument!. Rationality!. Emotional control!. Aspects of one's appearance!. Attitude!. Good grades!. Scores on standardized tests (including IQ scores)!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I think that a quick wit, and sense of humor implies that you can think on your toes, as long as it makes sense!.!.and emotional control implies that you're intelligent in knowing your emotions and what they mean to you, and understanding what triggers them as well!.!.the ability to analyze/deconstruct an argument is by far the best indication of intelligence to me, just solely based on the fact that you can listen to others and not judge at the same time, all the while understanding their point of view as well as your own!.!.!.(if that makes sense) It means that you can think of the arguments deeper meaning and figure things out that others might not see!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Intelligence is a lot of different things combined!. It's knowing a bit more than most people!. It's understanding things and inferring things better than most people!. It's knowing how to figure out what they don't already know!.

Being articulate, analyzing situations, and a few other similar things also contribute to it!.

However, grades and scores on standardized testing (even IQ tests) has nothing to do with it! Some people are incredibly intelligent, but freeze up whenever they take tests!. Some people are smart in ways that tests can't measure!. Intelligence isn't knowing how to solve every math problem someone throws at you or defining every word someone uses!. It's just!.!.!. complicated!.

That was probably a very bad explanation, actually!. Oh well, I'm not in a very explaining mood!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Possibilities: quick wit/sense of humor, ability to use resources quickly,
Not necessarily: aspect of one's appearance, good grades, scores on standardized tests!.
With intelligence defined from the greek and latin roots "inter" and "leger" meaning, "to choose "and "between" these days I admire a lot more those individuals who have chosen to utilize that intelligence in helping society in some manner, rather than just making a buck!. That appears to mean I put a higher emphasis on moral intelligence or responsbility (social conscience or what have you) as opposed to your traditional trivia spouter!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

if its a first impression kind of thing, where i dont have one on one time to sit and really analyze them,
i look to mannerisms!.
how they act, and how they speak to me, and how they carry themselves kind of gives me an indication of how well educated they may be!.
if they come out sputtering a bunch of slang or vulgar language at me,
that usually tells me that while theres a possibility they might be a smart individual, they sure arent well educated!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

if they have a higher level of consciousness - if they realize what is going on in every part of life they have seen!.
example: if they can tell you, right away, that they are acting in an embarrassing way (let's assume they spoke too loudly) and can tell you how other people reacted (shocked, ignored!.!.!.) and why (because socially, strange occurences are often ignored, and why that is)!. they should be conscious of all these little things!.

it means they can analyze situations!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Intelligence is different then being smart!. Being smart means your good at math, or science, while being intelligent means you are just, well, wise!. Intelligence cannot be measured because intelligence has different meanings!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You cannot indicate intelligence with just one thing, because intelligence is many different things!. For example, one preson may be a wiz at math, and one may be a wiz at art!. These are different types of intelligence!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

To know when to keep their mouth shut, and listen to other people - and to be able to thrive on their own resources, not relying completely on the good intentions, or promises of others!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Knowledge & vocabulary !.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Showing balance in life, I think, definitely is a sign of intelligence!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It could be IQ tests!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.they pause before they answerWww@QuestionHome@Com

"you know like num chuck skills, bow hunting skills and computer hacking skills!.!.!.!."Www@QuestionHome@Com