The Creating Brain

An interesting book examines the relationship of the brain to creativity: The Creating Brain: The Neuroscience of Genius, by Nancy C. Andreasen, M.D., Ph.D.

Psychologists and neuroscientists have been exploring highly intelligent individuals and those who create outstanding works of art, science or other products requiring significant original thought.

What they've found from a variety of IQ and other tests and studies is that most creative people are smart, but they aren't necessarily extremely smart. An IQ around 120 is generally good enough.

The most creative people aren't those with IQs in the 140, 150 and above ranges. Why is that? Stay tuned, I'll keep reading the book.

But I'd like to offer a wild guess here. Maybe I'm way out to lunch, but here's my proposed theory:

People with extremely high IQs never really fit in or relate well with others. Because of their extreme intelligence, they (possibly) spend some of their time trying to figure out how to  blend their ideas in so they can connect and be a part of the world. But they often feel like square pegs trying to fit into round holes. Let's face it, there aren't many others of their high IQ around to relate to.

People with moderately high IQs - say in the 120 ranges - know they are smart, and they don't have trouble fitting in. They also know they aren't that smart either. They don't worry about fitting in, so they have energy left over. They, in fact, look for unusual or creative ways to exist in the world. They have more energy available to them to use in creative ways.

Anyway, I could be way off base. But here's what else they've found about highly creative people:

They are open to new experiences, adventurous, rebellious, individualists, sensitive, playful, persistent, curious, and simple.

Creative people approach the world in a fresh and original way that is not shaped by preconceptions. The obvious order and rules that guide people with average intelligence just aren't that important to them. They do not wear the blinders of conventionality that others strive to pay attention to.

What do you think? Why aren't there more Nobel Peace Prize winners, inventors, artists, writers and other creative geniuses in the high IQ ranges? Why are so many of the higher IQ people - like some of the Mensa members - NOT successful at creating?

I would love to hear from you, just click the comment link below and tell me what you think.

Comments

[EP]

I liked your comment and tend to agree that persons with a high IQ tend to have difficulties fitting in.

I'd like to ask you though if you think tha there is any credence to the saying "birds of a feather stick together". That would make it seem that there is a common tread in most of us to "sift" through peoples conversation and body language and to associate with people we can relate to.

Well, keep on writing I like your style.
EP

[Christopher M.]

I read and can relate to what you had to say about the hyper intelligent.Your on the mark!

[Ruth Greenwood]

Your conclusions re high IQ folks' maladjustment are not nec. well-founded...it's a controversy, one since the Terman longitudinal studies decades ago.

But, anecdotally, as someone whose IQ was tested and found to be about 180, per Mensa (and I went to a school for gifted kids, with a 135 or 140 minimum)...we're not that much different than other folks. Very social, some, very creative, some. Uptight, relaxed.

According to our alumni magazine, lots of us are married. Lots continue to be creative, to contribute in many fields.

And now I live in Princeton, NJ, with a lot of brainy folks. The father of one of my daughter's friends is a MacArthur fellow in astronomy. He's a warm, relaxed, friendly person with a wonderful, also brilliant wife and three terrific, sweet kids.

Maybe highly intelligent people turn inward if their gifts aren't valued or, worse, are ridiculed.

All plants can grow in the right soil, with the right amount of water and sun...all people can grow in an environment that fills their needs.

[Ruth Greenwood]

Your conclusions re high IQ folks' maladjustment are not nec. well-founded...it's a controversy, one since the Terman longitudinal studies decades ago.

But, anecdotally, as someone whose IQ was tested and found to be about 180, per Mensa (and I went to a school for gifted kids, with a 135 or 140 minimum)...we're not that much different than other folks. Very social, some, very creative, some. Uptight, relaxed.

According to our alumni magazine, lots of us are married. Lots continue to be creative, to contribute in many fields.

And now I live in Princeton, NJ, with a lot of brainy folks. The father of one of my daughter's friends is a MacArthur fellow in astronomy. He's a warm, relaxed, friendly person with a wonderful, also brilliant wife and three terrific, sweet kids.

Maybe highly intelligent people turn inward if their gifts aren't valued or, worse, are ridiculed.

All plants can grow in the right soil, with the right amount of water and sun...all people can grow in an environment that fills their needs.