Are Introverts Smarter Than Extroverts?

By nature, introverts are analytical and introspective people who “wait before pouncing” at every possible opportunity. On the other hand, extroverts are risk takers and #reward-sensitive people who “act before thinking” to get where they want to be as quickly as possible. Of course, not everyone falls solely on either side of the spectrum. Some are partial to both categories while others lie smack dab in the middle. However, despite the temperamental difference between the two personality traits, neither has superior intellect over the other.

Statistically speaking, according to IQ scores, the two types are equally intelligent. As the psychologist Gerald Matthews describes in his work, introverts think more carefully than extroverts. Extroverts approach problem-solving head-on, taking shortcuts along the way, trading accuracy for speed which makes it easier to commit mistakes, and giving up altogether when the task gets overwhelmingly frustrating. Conversely, introverts digest information thoroughly, better at #delaying gratification, takes more preparation than extroverts do which makes it easier to stick with problems longer.¹

Wise words from the world-renowned genius theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein: “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”