What is the correlation between IQ and success?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Feldoh
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Correlation Iq
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The correlation between IQ and success is complex and diverges after reaching a certain threshold, as discussed in Malcolm Gladwell's book, "Outliers." Gladwell emphasizes that while IQ can indicate intelligence, it becomes less predictive of success when comparing individuals with similar high IQs. This suggests that factors beyond IQ, such as social skills and opportunities, play a significant role in achieving success. The discussion highlights the limitations of relying solely on IQ as a measure of potential.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Malcolm Gladwell's "Outliers"
  • Familiarity with psychological studies on intelligence
  • Knowledge of the concept of success metrics
  • Awareness of social factors influencing achievement
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of emotional intelligence and its impact on success
  • Explore studies on the limitations of IQ as a predictor of life outcomes
  • Investigate alternative measures of intelligence beyond traditional IQ tests
  • Examine the role of socioeconomic factors in educational and career success
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for psychologists, educators, and individuals interested in the interplay between intelligence and success, as well as those exploring the broader implications of IQ testing.

Feldoh
Messages
1,336
Reaction score
3
So there was a thread: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?p=2847138#post2847138 about IQ and being successful that I think is an interesting topic and is worthy of discussion so I thought I'd start a new thread here.

The reason for doing so is that I was recently reading Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers wherein one of the chapters he uses some recent and previous studies and discusses that idea that after a certain point the correlation between IQ and being successful in terms of a subject diverges. That is to say that there is some threshold. Gladwell quotes "Knowledge of a boy's IQ is of little help if you are faced with a formful of clever boys". This is of course analyzing the situation for the view-point that an IQ is a reliable measure of intelligence.

Any thoughts?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Reopening closed threads is not allowed. We've had so many of these threads that I do not see how another is needed.

You can google threads on IQ that have been posted here if you are curious about the consensus of people on this forum.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Project Progress Report and possible Radio Astronomy Technique?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
MHB Analyzing Correlation between IQ Scores and GPA in Ninth Graders
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Unlock Economic Success: National IQ, Liberality, and Optomism
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
6K
Undergrad Bell violations + perfect correlations via conservative Brownian motion
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
Graduate Post-Selection: Pre-existing Correlations or Action At A Distance?
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
6K
What Defines True Genius Beyond IQ Tests?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
7K
Medical What Are the Molecular Correlates of Intelligence and IQ?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
9K
Math Becoming a mathematician - how important is IQ?
  • · Replies 74 ·
3
Replies
74
Views
76K
Undergrad Correlation vs causation in biology/biochemistry
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
Medical High IQ: Not as good for you as you thought [article]
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
8K