Is there a correlation between fanaticism and low IQ?

[Anonymous]

I can't help but notice that bad grammar, ignorant words, hateful statements and ridiculous things are perpetrated by the less intelligent. Is this true? I go on YouTube and see the most racist comments and the grammar is usually awful. I see a question about race and the hateful answers often have many grammatical errors. Am I the only one that sees this?

yes

no

Updates

+1 y

I would love to get more answers.

[Anonymous]

in my opinion yes, the higher your iq the more analytical you are and the more you sit and process the whys and hows in your mind. For example you sit and think about why homosexuality exists in nature then accept it as a smart population control method for species at the tops of their food chains rather than following a religion or peer group and bashing something you dont understand fully, i find dumber people never bother to look things up or really try to learn in school, they will memorise answers to questions instead of working them out especially when it comes to mathematics. Dumber people are more in touch with their base instincts to conserve and continue the species which makes them less accepting of differences subconciously just incase those genes are bad whereas intelligent people work out what advantages certain physical traits have and accept them creating a wider variety and a stronger genetic line in their off spring.

@hswhis
i disagree with iq making you a genius, it doesn't measure intelligence it measures your logic/analytical skills and how quickly you can mentally work something out. i have an iq of 145 and im not a genius, neither was Hitler.

[feral_shade]

I was under the impression that "genius" was a label representing a range of IQs. What would you say this word represents?

[Opinion Owner]

intelligence is an extremely broad umbrella, iq is more specific and only measures one or two parts of a persons ability. someone can be excellent at working out equations and understanding how components of an engine fit together but useless at theoretical physics, understanding chemical processes or memorising and learning multiple languages, someone can have high logic skills and be useless at understanding law terms/long agreements or complicated maths equations because their brain just hazes out or they can't understand it. a genius is someone who posesses various great abilities across the intelligence spectrum not just one or two.

[feral_shade]

I'd say no.

While a low IQ can lead to narrowmindedness as a result of blindly adhering to specific ideas or values,

A high IQ can lead one to consider so many variables that they would passionately and tenaciously rationalize the existence of a series of correlations in an attempt to validate a belief, when in actuality there exists only a series of coincidences.

It often seems like fanatics are comprised of the cognitively challenged because they so graphically and simply express their opinions... and there are so many of them proportionately.
Whereas intellectual fanatics either have their analysis misinterpreted as being factual... or recognize the futility of disclosing their findings as it may clash with overwhelming public preconceptions.

[still_waiting]

I can see how you think that.
I think anyone who feels extremely passionate about mainstream things and will defend them to the death but then forgets them when they're not popular anymore doesn't have enough brains to think for themselves.

[DanAG]

Fanatic is somewhat in the eye of the beholder. I would call a fanatic anyone who takes things to extremes. I don't call the examples you gave fanatical, unless they are taken to extreme. For example I don't call racism fanatical, unless taken to extremes. I don't consider hatred as fanatical, unless taken to extremes.

I also don't think it has to be negative. Someone can be fanatical about good things. For example cleanliness is considered a good thing, but if someone becomes obsessed with it then it can become fanatical.

If you are talking specifically about something like racism, then yes I think it correlates to lower intelligence and education. But I'm not sure if you can show it's the cause. There's a lot of environment involved. For example racism is far more common in urban areas than suburban areas. Urban areas tend to to have lower intelligence and education levels. But it's also a different environment and culture.

If you are referring to religious fanaticism, I think there is a correlation there also. I haven't really noticed a strong correlation between being religious and IQ/education, but I've noticed it between the fanatics and IQ/education.

[Asker]

Great answer. I should have put more care in my words. I do see a connection also with racism and low intelligence. It may just be demographics and ignorance.

[DanAG]

I'm sure you could find all kinds of correlations. Racism, urban vs suburban, income level, number of children, education level, etc. But I think it all boils down to environment. Environment meaning both the parents and the geographic location (mainly urban areas). I think all the other correlations are coincidental.

[Asker]

You may be correct. Thank you

[Tractorbeam]

Prejudice does seem to appeal more to people with low intelligence.
It can be difficult to argue with them and convince them otherwise. They are logic-proof.

[Asker]

I see it that way also but not sure there is any way to convince the non believers of that. Living life should be the only way to see it.

[yooooooooooooo]

fanaticism has nothing to do with intelligence quotient

[Asker]

No correlation? Thank you then. I thought I noticed a trend maybe not.

[yooooooooooooo]

This is my point of view mate. I could be wrong

[Asker]

Some things people notice in life some things people don't. I am a lover of the human psyche. I believe we are all amazing in our own ways and have lived in many different cultures. My experience may be much different than yours. I am also about 20 years older (age is wrong here). If you are interested check out some videos on YouTube that stir racial tensions and if you so tell me what you think about the grammar on the comments by the most racist people.

[yooooooooooooo]

I guess you're right.. I just never paid attention to it

[Asker]

Do you feel that children should be taught more social issues when very young? Were you exposed to different cultures and different ethnicities when younger? What do you feel about a toddler or child exchange program that would allow people of different color and culture to live with each other for a short period of time? Is this a bad idea or a good idea? Sorry for the many questions and I appreciate your time.

[yooooooooooooo]

yes I was exposed to different cultures and ethnicities.. Children should be taught to coexist peacefully with other cultures at an impressionable age.

[Asker]

You're a special guy and thank you for answering and commenting. I hope you live a blessed (not really religious but I mean it in a blessed wonderful sense) life and a healthy happy one.

[yooooooooooooo]

Thanks man. Same to you

[BellendBob]

No there isn't

its like the idiots who say there you have a low iq if you are racist

simply put no

[hswhis]

Hitler, Mussolini, Obama... all reported to be geniuses... all fanatics in their own way...

[Asker]

There has never been any data of any of them being genius's. Mussolini was actually quite stupid and was manipulated by Hitler who certainly was not a genius. And not sure how Obama is a fanatic or a genius. Smart maybe but genius no. Ty for answering.

[still_waiting]

Obama isn't a genius... not sure about Hitler and Mussolini.

[Asker]

Hitler failed out of art school and had many difficulties with math as a young man. His talent was speaking and leading and spreading hate through propaganda. Hate can be a great motivator.

[still_waiting]

www.realclearpolitics.com/.../...right_114271.html

I just thought your statement was laughable because he's a common idiot

[BellendBob]

All top 20 ranking nazi officers were genius by IQ measures

[hswhis]

You don't get into Harvard having an IQ of 120. I am pretty sure his IQ ranks in the genius range just like Clinton's. He must not be that stupid if he got the American population to vote for him twice.

The idiots are the American people, not necessarily Obama.

[hswhis]

QA: Actually Hitler's estimated IQ was 141. Ranks in the genius range. He was also crazy, but that's another issue.

[Asker]

Where is this proof? That is speculation and his grades did not reflect his genius. And getting into Harvard and getting A, s can be done by an average intelligent person.

[hswhis]

To automatically assume that a person who did not do well in school does not have the ability to be a genius denotes ignorance. Here is a list of people who did not do well in school yet achieved levels of success mere mortals such as you, cannot. If you look at the list, you'll find, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs, Stephen Hawking, Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, etc.
tootlee.com/.../
science.howstuffworks.com/.../...phen-hawking1.htm

Second, to believe that a person of average intelligence with A's can get into Harvard is sheer stupidity. Harvard accepted <8% of the 30,000 applications it received. It has the luxury of choosing only the best of the best. An "average intelligence" person would not make it in considering Harvard's requirements which go well beyond your report card. An analysis correlating SAT scores and the estimated IQ:
www.girlsaskguys.com/.../q1111342-is-there-a-correlation-between-fanaticism-low-iq</a>

[Asker]

You can insult me till the world explodes it still doesn't make Hitler a genius and Mussolini was never even close to a genius. Nepotism and luck got him far in life. He was not an effective leader nor did he invent anything or solve any impossible mathematical equation. Take care though

[hswhis]

I haven't finished posting, genius...

[Asker]

You have now

[feral_shade]

They say there's a fine line between genius and insanity.
(one upon which I tread quite unsuccessfully everyday, lol)