Do Women Downplay Their Intelligence?

  • Thread starter Thread starter zoobyshoe
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Intelligence Women
Click For Summary
The discussion centers around the phenomenon of women downplaying their intelligence in various social and professional contexts. Participants share personal experiences, particularly in male-dominated fields, where they assert their intelligence rather than diminish it. Many express curiosity about why some women might feel compelled to downplay their intellect, suggesting that societal pressures and the fear of intimidating others could play a role. The conversation touches on the idea that intelligence can be perceived differently based on context, with some arguing that women may be more humble or indifferent about showcasing their intelligence. The discussion also highlights the complexities of intelligence, noting that formal education does not always equate to intelligence, and that social dynamics often dictate how individuals present themselves. Overall, the thread explores the balance between authenticity and social acceptance regarding intelligence.
  • #31
Originally posted by ShawnD
Good point. Men tend to get into pissing contests with each other over small things. Women often stand by and watch it; possibly getting amusement out of it. Watching people try to one up each other is sort of entertaining .


Bah! I bet women don't even have pissing contests.

Njorl
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
Originally posted by Thallium

Be careful not to mix intelligent people and highly educated people. Not all educated people are very intelligent.
Absolutely Thalium!
I have met many people that are not educated, usually working blue-collar jobs that are exceptionally intelligent. These people generally have not had the opportunity or in some cases the desire to pursue a formal education. You really have to look at who has the opportunity to get a higher education. Certainly intelligence will be the largest deciding factor, but that’s not to say all highly intelligent people ever get the chance to receive a formal education. It’s far to easy to stereotype people, you just always have to be aware that there may be much more under the surface.
Originally posted by Monique
Is it? In my opinion all highly educated people are intelligent.
On the opposite side I have also met highly educated that are really absolute morons, they obviously must possesses some intelligence to excel in their field but are absolutely hopeless in any other regard. If someone is gifted in a specific field but has no social intelligence (just an example) I think I would rate them less intelligent because of it.
Originally posted by Monique
What is the measure of intelligence anyway? I believe that viewing your self as intelligent is very egocentric.[/B]
I certainly agree that those who think of themselves as very intelligent are arrogant, but I also think that such arrogance (when founded on truth) makes those people better, or perhaps just more successful, scientists. I expect that everyone’s measure of intelligence is different.

So to reiterate Monique’s question I would like to know what your personal measure intelligence is.
 
  • #33
It is often advantageous to hide intelligence and to present a different facet of yourself to someone else. Likewise, it is often advantageous to hide another aspect and show your "smarts." It depends upon the woman's personality and upon the situation. I personally had great success in presenting a rather giddy self to others (male others) and placing intellectual concerns on the back burner. I have a giddy self. I have a somber, brooding self. Use the right tool, so to speak, for the situation...is it manipulation to present yourself differently in different situations? I don't think so. You're not hiding intelligence when you play dumb, anyway. You're actually illustrating that you are capable of great cunning...but only another person similarly acute realizes this.
 
  • #34
Dolphins are said to hide their intelligence as a survival mechanism.
 
  • #35
Originally posted by Loren Booda
Dolphins are said to hide their intelligence as a survival mechanism.

Makes sense, humans do the same. It's wise to allow your opponent underestimate you.
 
Last edited:
  • #36
Makes sense, humans do the same. It's wise to allow your enemies to underestimate you.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
- Sun Tzu, the Art of War
 
  • #37
Please, no one make any sudden moves. Keep your hands by your side, and back slooowwly away from the Barbie Doll.
 
  • #38
yeah... I guess I've been hanging out with G.I. Joe too much.
 
  • #39
Originally posted by Math Is Hard
yeah... I guess I've been hanging out with G.I. Joe too much.
Why not?! He's a studly dude! :wink:
 
  • #40
Originally posted by Math Is Hard
yeah... I guess I've been hanging out with G.I. Joe too much.

Not necessarily a bad thing... when is the last time you've seen a barbie doll that can use battlefield manuevers to smash an enemy to bits? Its kinda like those femme fatales that people see as innocent, but in reality they have a gun holstered underneath that pretty dress of hers.

New marketing: The barbie doll... of execution
 
  • #41
Originally posted by null
Makes sense, humans do the same. It's wise to allow your opponent underestimate you.

I love you null. I was going to say exactly the same thing!

W
 
  • #42
Originally posted by Njorl
Bah! I bet women don't even have pissing contests.

Njorl
not really built for it, but I bet I can spit further then you. How's that for dumbing oneself down?
 
  • #43
According to family legend, my grandmother (as a girl!) could piss farther than the boys. She must have compensated for the angle of the dangle.
 
  • #44
Originally posted by Njorl
Bah! I bet women don't even have pissing contests.

Njorl
Actually, we do! It's just that our target placement is a bit different.

edit: I see Loren has already pointed this out. Sorry. I've been busy and not following this very closely.
 
  • #45
Hmm.. the angles seem to be different eh? How about a military term for this:

The women are the bombers (their target is down), and the men are the infantry (target ahead/anywhere 180 degrees).
 
  • #46
Originally posted by Tsunami
Why not?! He's a studly dude! :wink:

Have you seen him without his pants? I got to say, Barbie is in for a big disappointment.

Does anybody remember the anatomically correct Hulk dolls? (shudder)

Njorl
 
  • #47
motai
Hmm.. the angles seem to be different eh? How about a military term for this:

The women are the bombers (their target is down), and the men are the infantry (target ahead/anywhere 180 degrees).

Ummmm...OK.

njorl
Does anybody remember the anatomically correct Hulk dolls? (shudder)
Who could FORGET??!
 
  • #48
My impression of Hulk is that nothing about him is anatomically correct (you mean it isn't white?).
 
  • #49
And they say there are intelligent people on this forum..

[?] :wink:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
298
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
5K
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
41K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
  • · Replies 82 ·
3
Replies
82
Views
30K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
20K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
7K