Can IQ or personality predict the probability for success? By Sharilynn Hanslo

How accurate are IQ tests?

While IQ tests attempt to measure intelligence, they may fail to accurately measure other areas of human intelligence, like creativity and social intelligence. However, IQ tests are still used in society since they can measure our understanding of certain things and predict our ability to perform specific tasks. However, intelligence is a broader concept, and there’s a lot we don’t yet understand about the brain and how it processes information.

Is there a correlation between personality and IQ?

In terms of personality, MBTI is often the golden standard used to identify the different personalities in society. MBTI stands for The Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), an introspective self-report questionnaire indicating differing psychological preferences in how people perceive and interact with the world around them.

At the same time, MBTI is a tool meant to identify personality traits, not intelligence, per se. When it comes to measuring IQ, we often use various IQ tests to measure intelligence . To be a member of Mensa’s, the requirement is that you score above the 98th percentile on certain standardized IQ or any other approved intelligence tests.

Are you smart enough for Mensa?

MENSA is widely recognized as the association known for conducting tests to measure intelligence using various metric tools. ( Mensa is the largest and oldest high (IQ) society in the world) For this reason, MBTI isn’t the most accurate tool used to determine IQ. Instead, a combination of data from MBTI and MENSA is used.

To qualify for Mensa, you must have scored in the top 2 percent of the general population; if you missed that, it says you need to score in the top 2 percent (not your class) but the entire population.

To qualify, there are standardized intelligence tests — including Mensa Admission tests. There are an estimated six million Americans eligible for membership. So if you think you’re a hidden genius, it’s never too late to apply.

Which MBTI is considered the most intelligent?

I honestly don’t care that you’re MBTI is an INTP like Einstein or that you’re an ESTP like Winston Churchill. I stopped telling people I was an INFJ when I realized nobody cared. It hurts, I know. I walked it off. You should too. The reality is that the closest most of us will come to anything “relative” to einstein is perhaps having his unruly hair; however, in Einstein’s defense, who has time to brush hair when you’re out solving multiple complex equations about general relativity and photoelectric effects.

Many different metrics are used to determine which MBTI has the highest I.Q. The correlation is commonly done by identifying the highest IQs on record and then looking for similar variables in terms of the most common MBTI associated with high I.Q. Some research has indicated that INTP personality types have higher intelligence, with similar results in various studies regarding INTJ and INFJ ENFP, respectively. The difference is that INTP appreciates intelligence and knowledge whilst it may only have a methodological value to an INTJ.

Introverts vs. extroverts- Which one ranks higher in terms of intelligence?

However, if we had to choose the personality type most associated with intelligence, it appears that ENFP, INFP, INFJ, and INTP rank pretty high. It appears both ENFP and INFP score high with regards to cognitive function. Moreover, many MBTI with intuition dominance is known for remarkable good memories since they use introverted intuition. (Ti) Otherwise known as introverted thinking.

This function is known for processing and storing complex information in the subconscious, allowing them to retrieve information when needed through memory recall. However, it appears introversion or extroversion doesn’t determine intelligence as a whole. People with extroverted and introverted dominance are both capable of high cognitive processing.

However, If you’re INTP or ENTP, chances are you could be a genius, and you don’t know it since Albert Einstein and Steven Hawkins were thought to be INTP’s and to date, the person with the highest IQ is a woman known as Marilyn Vos Savant thought to be an ENTP. However, Marilyn has never officially confirmed whether she is an ENTP.

My problem with MBTI

If you clicked on this article, you most likely wanted to know whether your MBTI type was listed as one of the most intelligent. I think this is because the MBTI has become synonymous with self-identification since it does provide us with a sense of understanding of why we perceive the world the way we do. And who wouldn’t want to have high intelligence associated with their MBTI, especially since society favors intelligent people? It appears we all want to believe we are some genius; some may even make use of neologisms, jargon, and incredibly unnecessary complicated use of language to appear more knowledgeable. ( see what I did there )

We need to be wary not to use MBTI as the only form of self-identification to define us. It should also not be used to solidify false validation and superiority over another personality type. Believing one personality is superior to the other isn’t a form of intelligence; it’s arrogance. No personality type is the most intelligent since you’ll find knowledgeable people across the spectrum of the MBTI model.

What’s my final verdict?

I spent a lot of time researching the correlation between MBTI and the measurement of IQ and based on my research, it’s very unlikely personality dictates intelligence. It could be that intelligence dictates personality. However, this still begs the question, are some people just born with intelligence? If this is true, then personality wouldn’t matter since studies suggest personality doesn’t form until later. That may further suggest intelligence is the product of genetic predisposition and VIQ otherwise known as verbal intelligence quotient.

Verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ) is a numerical measurement of your child’s spoken language capabilities and limitations. It is used to gauge your child’s ability to reason out and understand others through spoken words.

This is often why intelligence is associated with a child who may learn to speak earlier than expected. However, many things determine intelligence, like cognitive functions, which may dictate what a child learns and how they process information.

Regardless, all personality types can achieve great success in their respective fields if they are fortunate enough to work in an environment that compliments their personality type. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. People who aren’t born with the same advantages often don’t get to explore or nurture their talent early on. Often end up working in jobs that are unfulfilling which leads to demotivation and even depression. Therefore, using IQ and personality as an exact indicator for success will never be accurate. Moreover, I believe there’s always room to learn and grow, you don’t need to be a genius to succeed in life.