Sunday, March 8, 2009

Smart vs. Intelligent

I had a high school history teacher who told us that there is a difference between being smart and being intelligent. I forget what their explanation was— but the fact there is a difference stuck with me.

Smart
Smart people are the ones who can give you all the facts and figures about things. I consider these types of people good at trivia. They are very good at reciting all the capitals to all the third world countries that gained their independence since 1970. All of this is very impressive and shows that you know a lot of things. These kind of people are very good at test taking because they can memorize the answers.
Intelligent
People who are intelligent tend to know more about the big picture rather than the details. These are the kinds of people who take what they learn and apply it to everyday life. They tend to find connections in things that most people overlook. This makes them very good at problem solving because they can find many applicable solutions rather than insisting on there being only one right answer.

I do not think that anybody who falls into these categories should be labeled as such. These categories are more the tenancies that I find people behaving like. We all can be smart as well as intelligent— even though we may lean more towards one way than the other.

12 comments:

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

Another stellar post! It's really interesting to see the subtle differences in the two. I am more of the "apply what I've learned" kind of girl. And...I am a font of completely useless information! You're right...some of us are a blend of both!

Love the new background! It really popped out at me!

Deb said...

well, then, i guess i am not smart. i might be a little intelligent.

love the jelly beans.

RSusanna said...

Thank you very much! Now I'm going to have to get some damn jelly beans!!!!! BTW I never really thought of there being a difference but there most deffinately is and I see it in my job all the time. Every situation is not cut and dry and by the book. You have to be able to think for yourself. Thank God I'm all of the above. :)

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

I'm thinking I'm intelligent and not so smart, but I could be wrong because I don't see the details because of the bigger picture...now I'm just confused. Does that make me ignorant, or just plain stoopid?

Tony@ That One Paticular Harbor said...

now I want to see your view about dumb vs. stupid. Once I get through the jellybeans I might be able to tell you where I land on the smart vs. intelligent deal. Great thought provoking post. Can there be degrees of either? Like, highly intelligent

Denise @ Sunflowers, Chocolate and Little Boys said...

I dont think I am Smart or Intelligent....I keep blaming on my meds. LOL

Halftime Lessons said...

Hah. Mark me down for intelligent. Kind of.

Aracely said...

I'm not going to lie CJ, I'm a little bit of both ;-)

Wendyburd1 said...

Is there an IN BETWEEN category?!!

SweetPeaSurry said...

Quick and funny. I walked into work tonight, they had me scheduled to 'train' on a desk. I told the team leader I didn't need any training. He asked me if I could work any desk he put me on. I grinned smugly and said "absolutely, I know it all".

he he he!

Claremont First Ward said...

Again, great distinctions!

Ash said...

I'm loving these definition posts!!

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