How does it make you feel when someone is smarter than you?

Question

For instance, when you know someone has an extremely high IQ, or they did far better than you on the SAT or LSAT. When you find this out, what is your first reaction? Do you want to find fault with them in some other way, so you can feel superior to them in another respect? Or do you downplay the importance of their abilities? Or do you admire them and envy them? What do you feel and do?

Answer 1

It makes me feel like crap.

Answer 2

It really depends on the circumstance and also their age.

-When it is someone older than me then I admire them and try to learn from them.

-When it's a peer then I usually don't mind because people will always be smarter than me. I typically am a bit lazy so I never try my best, which makes it a lot easier for me not to mind.

-When it's a friend that I have known for a while, and believed that when I met her that we were around the same intelligence level and even social level, also same anxiety. Then I feel very jealous whenever she succeeds in something that I did not. I feel as if she is progressing and learning more than me. It pushes me to outdo her. I downplay how impressed I am with her achievement. In ways I don't want her to even overcome her anxiety until I do because I want to feel like I was better in being able to grow more as a person. I think "Why was she able to do it and I wasn't?"
Note: I hope it does not seem like I am a lousy friend, because I am not THAT bad. I'm there for her whenever she needs me, and will talk to her.

-When it's a friend that I have always thought of as smarter, brighter then I don't mind and am very proud of them.

-When I'm in a class where everybody is smarter than me, then I feel a bit stupid, and would want to transfer because I don't belong in a class that gifted.

Answer 3

IQ, SAT, LSAT or any highest educational degrees won't guarantee that you are a happy person or a good person. Those things have nothing to do with the person who you are in your real life. The most important thing is to be happy person and a good person in spite of everything in this life. The more I know, the more I realize I don't know. The smarter we become the dumber we get.
--

Answer 4

Being smart is always relative to the subject matter at hand.

All people have unique abilities which can be expressed in numerous ways.

IQ tests reveal a certain ability to think logically and to be able to solve life problems efficiently.

However, those abilities are only one tiny aspect when measuring a person's ability to make a difference in the world and to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

So, we should focus more on making a diligent and concerted effort to maximized our abilities and apply them in the manner that is most beneficial to ourselves and the culture in which we live.

Don't take the time to worry how your abilities stack up against others.

It's all relative to a subjective scale created by fallible humans.

Just be yourself. You'll be fine.

Answer 5

I have had huge self confidance issues since elementary school. A lot of times I feel that my intelligence is the only good thing about me (I am in high school, and taking four advanced courses). But, there is this girl that sits next to me in my AP English class, and he is like some kind of savant. She always gets better grades than me, and is already taking college courses. She is also in my art class (the only other thing I can actually say I'm decent at). The teacher is absolutely in love with her, and reccomended her for AP art, and not me. She is just so perfect at everything, you know?

Anyway, it really infuriates me for awhile. I just ge so angry. I mean, I can never compare to her, and it really makes me want to just go and punch a hole in the wall. But then, I end up feeling depressed and worthless. As I said before, low self confidance has always been an issue with me, and now that I see someone that is better in every way, shape, and form, I feel like a rock.

And I know, I'm special, people love me, yada yada yada. But honestly, all those talks about 'loving yourself for you' or whatever REALLY do not help. They just make me feel even worse, because I just can't do it.

So, I really just don't say anything to her, and just end up not doing anything, except feel like I've just been stepped on every time her art gets in a show and mine doesn't, or when she makes an A in her Calculus class, and I can only make a C+ in Pre-Calc, or when she proves, yet again, that everyone is in love with her (Including my ex...)

I guess I envy her a lot, but I just try to deal with it and get on with my life. It doesn't help, but we'll both graduate soon, and then I'll never have to see her again. XP

Sorry for the rant, I guess I got a bit carried away XD

Answer 6

Interesting question- it usually makes me doubt if you I'm not doing the wrong thing- it gives me a sense of insecurity.
I often question what my true natural abilities are and if you find yourself surrounded by many people who do better than you you have every right to believe you are at the wrong place.
Otherwise this doesn't excuse us for being lazy and above all one should rememebr that success comes slowly and takes many failures :)
I think whatever you do - you should try to stay positive you will be able to do it - that way you double your chances of doing it.

Answer 7

I think when someone is smarter than me, I feel aweful with respect and would like to know him/her to congratulate on his/her distinguished success. If possible, it would be my honor to be his/her friend so that we can share our knowledge or ideas since it is pointless to be envious and unfriendly. Everyone has his/her own brilliance and, I think, good and great scholars should learn to be humble and ready to share the wisdom to the world.

Answer 8

I actually take the opportunity to pick there brains. Learn from them, listen. I work with Doctors, PA's, Speech Language Pathologists and Psychiatrists. I know they have more knowledge than I, but believe me, their brains are being used to my benefit. Look and listen and pay attention, their education becomes yours. Pays off tremendously!

Answer 9

i make myself friends with them to realize that they really are just people who work hard and maybe have a natural gift. they pretty soon realize that i need some help and they help me. it works out in the end. When i have smart friends, i tend to start thinking a bit like them.

Answer 10

I feel as though I can learn from that person, so I suppose you could say that I admire them.

Answer 11

I think its time for you to grow up! There will always be people who do better than you do. Accept it, and move on.