10 Signs You’re Highly Intelligent, According to Experts

"Pattern recognition and general intelligence are highly correlated," Chen says. When you have good pattern recognition skills, you can identify trends and connections that others might miss. This ability extends beyond just visual patterns – it includes recognizing patterns in behavior, data, or abstract concepts. It also means you can often predict outcomes or solve problems more quickly by drawing on your ability to see these underlying patterns.

Highly intelligent people aren't just book smart – they often have high emotional and social intelligence too. According to Dr. Alex Johnson, social psychologist and author of "The Social Mind," emotional intelligence is a crucial aspect of overall intelligence. "The ability to understand and navigate social situations, read people's emotions, and respond appropriately requires a complex set of cognitive skills," Johnson says. "It's not just about being nice – it's about understanding the intricate dynamics of human interactions."

It's easy to assume that intelligent people are always sure of their opinions. But being smart isn't about being right all the time. It's about being open to different viewpoints and willing to change your mind when presented with new evidence. "Intelligent individuals are often characterized by their intellectual humility," Chen says. "They're eager to hear different perspectives and can integrate new information into their understanding of the world."

Humor, particularly the ability to understand and create clever jokes, is often associated with high intelligence. According to Dr. Lisa Martinez, cognitive psychologist specializing in humor and intelligence, there's a strong link between humor and cognitive abilities. "Understanding humor often requires connecting disparate ideas, recognizing subtle patterns, and thinking abstractly – all hallmarks of intelligence," Martinez says. "Moreover, the ability to make others laugh demonstrates social intelligence and creativity."

The smartest individuals don't need everything to be black and white. If you're comfortable with gray areas and can navigate complex, ambiguous situations, there's a chance you're highly intelligent. "Rather than seeking simple answers to complex problems, they can hold multiple, sometimes contradictory ideas in mind," Chen says. This cognitive flexibility allows them to see nuances and come up with innovative solutions.

Highly intelligent people don't assume they know everything. In fact, a sign of intelligence is recognizing that there's always more to learn. "If they encounter something they don't understand, they view it as an opportunity to learn rather than a threat to their intelligence," Thompson says. "This curiosity drives them to expand their knowledge and skills continuously."

If people often seek your advice or enjoy having deep conversations with you, that could be a sign of high intelligence. According to Johnson, "Intelligent people are often excellent listeners and communicators. They can distill complex ideas into understandable concepts, and they're genuinely interested in understanding others' perspectives."

8. You're Able to Delay Gratification

Having the ability to delay gratification shows maturity and foresight. You understand that sometimes short-term sacrifices lead to long-term gains. According to Thompson, this ability is often linked to higher intelligence. "Studies have shown that individuals who can delay gratification tend to have better life outcomes and often score higher on various measures of cognitive ability," he says.

9. You Have a Good Sense of Self-Awareness

Having the ability to delay gratification shows maturity and foresight. You understand that sometimes short-term sacrifices lead to long-term gains. According to Thompson, this ability is often linked to higher intelligence. "Studies have shown that individuals who can delay gratification tend to have better life outcomes and often score higher on various measures of cognitive ability," he says.

10. You're Adaptable and Embrace Change

"There's a strong correlation between adaptability and cognitive flexibility in neuroscience research," Dr. Michael Thompson, neuropsychologist and author of "The Adaptive Mind," tells Bustle. "We've found that individuals who can easily adapt to new situations and embrace change tend to have more dynamic neural networks."

In other words, being able to adjust your thinking and behavior in response to new information or changing circumstances is a sign of intelligence. So if you thrive in new environments and aren't afraid of change, Thompson says, there's a good chance you're exhibiting high intelligence.