What Are The Differences Between Being Smart And Being Intelligent?
On more than one occasion we have heard the phrase “in addition to being intelligent, you have to be smart to prosper in this life.” Other times it may have happened to us that we have used the words “smart” and “intelligent” as if they were synonyms, but in reality they are not.
This is not a subtle nuance between their definitions, but rather the thing goes much further. Being smart and being intelligent are very different ways of being, so much so that the only thing they seem to share is that they are both related, in one way or another, to cognitive aspects.
“Smart” and “intelligent” are words we often use interchangeably, but they carry subtle yet significant differences. While intelligence typically refers to innate cognitive abilities, being smart often relates to the application of knowledge in practical situations. Understanding the differences can help us better appreciate the nuances of human ability and behavior.
Next we will see what the differences are between being smart and being intelligent in addition to understanding in its maximum depth the definition of these two concepts and how they relate to each other.
The definition of being intelligent is quite simple at first glance. An individual is intelligent when he has an intelligence quotient (IQ) above average, especially if he exceeds 130 IQ points, being considered gifted or a person with high abilities. Psychology has been investigating for years whether having a high IQ is a factor that determines success in life, but this does not seem to be the case. Although having a low IQ predisposes you to having poor quality jobs, being very intelligent is no guarantee of success in life.
An intelligent person is one who has great ability to understand, think and manage information. You have the ability to solve very difficult problems, which, as a general rule, require a high level of logic. Analyze, segmenting, the challenges that arise, until you find an ideal solution for them. It has a long-term vision and makes complex things simpler and more manageable. Intelligent subjects have a more long-term vision when it comes to solving their problems.
Research has attempted to clarify what is meant by intelligence, a construct that has been widely at the center of debate in psychology. There are many theorists who have considered that intelligence, far from being a single, general factor, can be subdivided into several specialized intelligences. There are different models, each with its proposal on what intelligences can be found in human beings, but among them, Howard Gardner’s and Daniel Goleman’s stand out, especially.
The psychologist Howard Gardner, in his book Structures of the mind: The theory of multiple intelligences (1983) states that there is not a single type of intelligence, but seven (later there would be eight), which he explains in detail in his Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Among these intelligences we find the two traditionally evaluated in the classroom, linguistic-verbal intelligence (e.g., oral and written comprehension) and logical-mathematical intelligence (e.g., mathematics, physics and chemistry subjects), accompanied by the following six:
However, Daniel Goleman went a step further than Gardner, questioning the fact that intelligence was a factor that did not predict success in life. Of course, logical-mathematical and linguistic-verbal intelligence, which are the most evaluated in schools, do not have to predict how well a person will do in everyday life. However, emotional intelligence (intra and interpersonal) as well as the habits of intelligent people do seem to help in their life success.
Goleman considers that being intelligent also includes having emotional, cognitive and behavioral abilities which can also be found in smart people, to a greater and lesser extent. These skills would be the common point, the ambiguous line, between being intelligent and being smart. Among these skills we can find the following.
Innate Cognitive Abilities
Intelligence is the natural capacity to process, learn, and apply knowledge. It often includes reasoning, problem-solving, and adapting to new environments.
Types of Intelligence
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Skilled in reasoning and numbers.
Linguistic Intelligence: Proficiency with language and communication.
Emotional Intelligence: The ability to understand and manage emotions.
Measured by IQ Tests
Intelligence is often assessed through IQ (Intelligence Quotient) tests, which aim to measure problem-solving abilities and reasoning skills.
What Does It Mean to Be Smart?
Being intelligent is a capacity that cannot be changed. Although scientific research has pointed out that intelligence can decrease or increase in adolescence without there being an external factor to explain it, this variation in intelligence has nothing to do with the effort that the person has made to change it. The performance of some people increases, while that of others decreases, without following an established pattern that allows a clear explanation to be extracted from it.
Having talent for something is considered a trait of intelligent people. In the same line as the theory of multiple intelligences, having a certain intelligence more developed makes it easier to master a certain area of life. For example, having musical intelligence means being able to play instruments, recognizing a note as soon as you hear it, understanding sheet music quickly…
On the other hand, we consider a smart person the one whose behavior leads her to tend towards success in life, given her context and her starting situation It is that person who, when faced with an everyday situation, knows how to deal with it, making the most of it and obtaining great benefits. Smart people are characterized by being very aware of any new stimulus, making sure that they learn from it so that, if it appears again, they can give an efficient response. If being smart were part of the theory of multiple intelligences, it could be called operational intelligence.
Be smart has little to do with having good academic performance. There are quite a few people who have this quality who, while at school or high school, did not get very good grades but who, equally, could do a little of everything and moved forward. They are more generalists than intelligent people, that is, they know several things but without naturally standing out in any of them. If they want to stand out, they will have to put in the effort, practice and study, but they are good at learning on their own.
More than a cognitive ability, being smart is almost a personality style. Smart people’s distinctive features are being mentally quick, intuitive, shrewd, astute, practical, perceptive, alert, subtle, attentive to what is happening and channeling information. They deal with daily situations very quickly since they know how to take advantage of their knowledge and apply it to their daily lives, finding it much easier than the rest. If a new situation is presented to them, they will try to make the most of it. Smart people usually invest their efforts in obtaining short-term results.
Being smart is a capacity that can be changed. As we have mentioned, smart people are smart because they know how to respond very efficiently to everyday situations. However, these everyday situations were at some point new and the smart person had to learn everything necessary to be able to know what to do if they happened again. Thus, the smart person acquires new knowledge and strategies to be successful in life. I mean, she’s getting smarter and smarter.
Related to this same thing, we can say that being smart It does not mean having talent for a certain skill, since talent is something innate. However, smart people, as they are individuals who make an effort to learn, if they want to excel in a certain skill, they will practice and try to learn everything necessary to master it. For example, a smart person may not be good at playing the guitar at first, but with effort he will eventually play the instrument better than anyone else.
Practical Knowledge
Being smart often refers to applying knowledge effectively in real-world scenarios. It’s about knowing how to navigate situations and make informed decisions.
Acquired Through Learning
Unlike intelligence, which is innate, being smart can develop over time through experience, education, and curiosity.
Street Smarts vs. Book Smarts
Street Smarts: Practical wisdom gained from life experiences.
Book Smarts: Knowledge acquired from formal education and reading.
Key Differences Between Intelligence and Smartness
Nature vs. Nurture
Intelligence is generally innate, while being smart is often the result of nurture, learning, and adapting.
Focus Areas
Intelligence focuses on cognitive abilities and mental processing speed.
Being smart focuses on applying knowledge to solve real-world problems.
Measurement
Intelligence is quantifiable through IQ tests.
Smartness is harder to measure and is often judged through actions and decisions.
Adaptability
Intelligent individuals excel in understanding complex ideas, while smart people excel in adapting to changing circumstances.
Is it better to be clever or to be intelligent?
The ideal would be to be smart and intelligent, like Albert Einstein probably was. However, in this life we cannot have it all: some of us have to settle for being smart, others for being intelligent and some, unfortunately, are unlucky enough to be neither of the two types. Each characteristic helps us be able to deal with certain types of situations so, depending on the type of job, it is convenient for us to be either smart or intelligent.
Intelligent people are good in new and difficult situations For example, in jobs such as theoretical physics it is necessary to have a highly developed logical-mathematical intelligence, as well as a great capacity for inventiveness and creativity. Another example would be in the world of sports, where it is necessary to be very aware of body posture and how the muscles work to be able to do a lock in martial arts or kick the ball with the necessary force for it to reach the goal.
Smart people are more efficient in situations they already know, especially those that arise in their daily lives. If something unforeseen occurs, as they already have a lot of experience in it, they will know how to respond. Being smart is a good quality in virtually any job. For example, being a high school teacher it is ideal to be smart, learning and knowing how to teach the content. It is thanks to repeating the content each year that the teacher learns how to teach it according to the characteristics of the class group.
The differences between being smart and being intelligent are many. Being smart is more of a personality trait, characteristic of people who learn in new situations and who know how to respond to situations they have already experienced. It is a modifiable capacity, focused on obtaining short-term results, pending any new stimulus that may appear in order to learn from it and constituting a factor that predicts success in life. A smart person does not have to have good academic performance.
On the other hand, being intelligent is the fact of having a given talent for one or several areas of life, being able to deal with a novel situation through ingenuity and reasoning. Intelligence is not a unitary construct and it is not an aspect that can be modified at will. Intelligent people are focused on obtaining long-term results, and although it is desirable to have high intelligence, this is not a guarantee of success in life. Being intelligent is related to having good academic performance.
Examples to Illustrate the Difference
Theoretical Understanding vs. Practical Application
An intelligent person may deeply understand a concept, but a smart person knows how to use that concept to achieve a goal.
Problem-Solving in Action
Intelligent Response: Identifying the root cause of a problem.
Smart Response: Fixing the problem with available resources.
Are You Born Intelligent or Can You Become Smart?
While intelligence is largely influenced by genetics, being smart is something anyone can develop. Exposure to diverse experiences, staying curious, and learning continuously are keys to becoming smarter.
Can Someone Be Both Smart and Intelligent?
Absolutely! Many individuals exhibit both traits. For instance, a scientist may be highly intelligent in their field and also smart in managing their personal finances or relationships.
Traits of Intelligent People
Analytical Thinking
They excel in breaking down complex problems into manageable parts.
Curiosity
A strong desire to understand how things work.
Memory and Retention
They can remember and connect ideas effectively.
Traits of Smart People
Quick Decision-Making
They make effective choices, often under pressure.
Social Awareness
Smart people are adept at reading social cues and navigating interactions.
Resourcefulness
They know how to get things done with what they have.
Which Is More Important: Being Smart or Intelligent?
Both traits have value depending on the context. Intelligence might shine in academic or technical fields, while smartness is crucial in practical, everyday situations.
How to Cultivate Smartness and Intelligence
For Intelligence
Engage in Puzzles and Games: Stimulate your brain with activities that challenge logical thinking.
Lifelong Learning: Pursue education and stay updated in your field of interest.
For Smartness
Learn From Experience: Reflect on past situations and how you handled them.
Stay Curious: Explore new topics and perspectives.
Debunking Myths
Myth: Intelligence Equals Success
Fact: Success often depends on emotional intelligence and practical skills, not just IQ.
Myth: Smart People Don’t Need Education
Fact: Smart individuals often value learning and use it to sharpen their skills further.
Examples from Famous Figures
Albert Einstein
Known for his intelligence, Einstein excelled in theoretical physics but had limited practical skills in everyday tasks.
Oprah Winfrey
An example of smartness, Oprah has used her emotional intelligence and practical wisdom to build a media empire.
While intelligence and being smart are related, they are distinct qualities that complement each other. Intelligence is about understanding and processing information, while smartness is about using that knowledge effectively in the real world. Cultivating both traits can lead to personal growth and success in various areas of life.
FAQs about Differences Between Being Smart and Being Intelligent
Can intelligence be improved?
Yes, intelligence can be enhanced through mental exercises, education, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Is being smart better than being intelligent?
Neither is inherently better; it depends on the situation. Smartness is often more practical, while intelligence excels in analytical tasks.
Do intelligent people always succeed?
Not necessarily. Success often depends on emotional intelligence, persistence, and adaptability.
Can someone lack intelligence but still be smart?
Yes, individuals with average intelligence can develop smartness through experience and learning.
How can I become both smart and intelligent?
Engage in lifelong learning, seek diverse experiences, and practice critical thinking to cultivate both traits.
