Psychology: How to recognize a person's intelligence – without them saying a word

How smart a person is is reflected in a wide variety of behaviors, statements, and reactions. We often judge intelligence by verbal cues, i.e., by what someone says. Be it a clever answer, a smart question, or a really good idea that a person expresses. And all of these can be important clues to how smart a person is.

But if you look a little closer, you can also detect a person's intelligence when they're completely silent—and even especially when they're silent. These four subtle, nonverbal cues indicate that you're dealing with a pretty smart person.

These 4 signs reveal that a person is intelligent without saying anything 1. She stays calm

In difficult situations, many people tend to make themselves heard by speaking loudly, thus asserting what's important to them at all costs. Truly intelligent people, however, know that this often achieves nothing and wastes valuable energy. Not to mention that they usually make life unnecessarily difficult for the other person. Those who remain calm, composed, and above all, friendly, even in stressful situations, demonstrate true greatness—and usually intelligence as well.

2. She listens attentively

Even in conversation, there are clues to the intelligence of the person we're talking to—even if they don't say anything. However, if they listen attentively and nonverbally give us the impression that they understand us and are interested in what we're saying, this is a signal of that person's strong emotional and social intelligence. People who clearly show that they're not interested in what someone is telling them are generally less intelligent—and rude to boot.

3. She only speaks when she has something to say

In general, it can be a sign of intelligence if a person doesn't say anything. Smart people rarely have the urge to talk just for the sake of talking. This tendency is more common in less smart people, who may be trying to hide their insecurity. A smart person, on the other hand, only speaks when they actually have something meaningful to contribute to the conversation.

4. She is curious and inquisitive

Intelligent people know that we can never know everything. There's always something new to learn, and we can accumulate knowledge throughout our lives. And that's exactly what smart people want. Reading, learning, and engaging deeply with things is their favorite activity. They don't have to say anything about it—such curiosity can be observed very subtly, for example, when the person in question is constantly reading or otherwise learning about the things that interest them.

mbl Brigitte

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