Naturally Curious People Who Do These 10 Things Are 97% Smarter Than Most
Rido | Shutterstock While having an inquisitive mind is an incredible thing, curious people are often told that they're nosy or annoying. But while nosiness is driven by self-interest and gossip, true curiosity is all about connection and understanding. Even more than that, curiosity is linked to intelligence, so it makes sense that naturally curious people who do certain things are 97% smarter than most.
Whether it's the jobs they choose, how they act and respond in conversations, or their overall lifestyle choices, curious individuals are set on expanding not only their knowledge, but their experiences as well. Because they understand that in order to live a full life, it requires a bit of exploration.
Naturally curious people who do these 10 things are 97% smarter than most
1. They fall asleep listening to a podcast or watching videos
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Whether it's true crime podcasts or videos meant to be relaxing, curious individuals fall asleep to both. They can't help but seek out information, and because they're actively watching or listening to informative entertainment every night, their brain is learning an implicit form of memory, even while they're asleep.
According to a study published in Current Biology, in which participants were exposed to made-up words, participants were able to pick out the correct translations of those words the next day. This reveals the likelihood that people can engage in conditional learning while they're asleep.
2. Their first response is to ask a question
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Whether it's in a classroom setting or a work meeting, by asking questions as their first response, it's clear that naturally curious people who do these things are smarter than most. They understand that they can't learn information unless they press further, and that the best way to learn is to stay inquisitive and ever-questioning.
In an academic setting, asking questions throughout a lecture helps students understand the material better. But this same result can apply to any area of life. Just like students, curious people don't feel bad if they ask for more, as their mind is craving information.
3. They change career paths often
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Naturally curious individuals likely find themselves frequently changing career paths, unsure of what it is they want to accomplish. Maybe they began with a career in entertainment, but eventually switched to something related to sales. Or, perhaps they even went back to school to obtain a degree in a field totally different from what they've spent a lot of time in.
Despite what some may call indecision, changing career paths isn't always such a bad thing. It really just means that people who do this are curious about the world around them. And as research published in the Journal of Individual Differences found, curiosity is positively related to a person's general knowledge and reasoning ability.
4. They often get lost in thought
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Many people tend to zone out or daydream when they become deep in thought, and the same goes for curious individuals. They constantly find themselves constantly in another world, especially when they're not supposed to. It could be at work, school, or even while in the middle of an important task.
Their mind is wired to explore and think, leaving little room to ground themselves back in reality. However, daydreaming can actually be beneficial, as those who daydream have a better working memory than their peers. However, they should be careful not to overdo it, because constantly having their head in the clouds might make them miss out on valuable moments.
5. They enjoy solving complex problems
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Curious people likely find themselves working long hours to figure out complicated problems. But it's because they can't help but become fixated on problems they don't know the answer to. They will spend hours collecting as much information as possible to find a solution.
On the outside, this might seem over the top, but for them, it's what keeps them motivated. For example, people who train hard in mathematics tend to find an increase in certain thinking skills. Additionally, people who are good at math must have great reasoning abilities to apply their skills to technical problem-solving. This makes these people not only curious, but more logical as well.
6. They research and discuss their views with others
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Naturally curious people who do research and then discuss their views are smarter than most. It's not just because studying and researching helps people retain knowledge, but so they can spread that knowledge to others.
According to a study published in Memory, online research might make people feel more knowledgeable, but it also might lead to a false sense of security, making them feel like they know more than they actually do. So, truly curious people don't just stop at researching.
Instead, they tend to jot down notes, ask questions, and discuss their views with others. Doing this makes sure their knowledge sticks, and means they really understand their shortcomings of where they need more information.
7. They're always willing to try new things
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Because they think so much differently than others, curious individuals are always open to new experiences. Wanting to know about the world around them, they're more than willing to try something at least once. And it's actually a pretty great thing.
As a study published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise determined, those who engage in adventure have greater resilience and psychological well-being. Internist and Chief Medical Editor of Harvard Health Publishing Howard E. LeWine also explained, "Your brain has the ability to learn and grow as you age — a process called brain plasticity — but for it to do so, you have to train it on a regular basis."
8. They love learning new things, and no topic is boring
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Whether it's topics like keeping a work-life balance or the inner world of finances, no subject is boring for curious individuals. They enjoy learning new things, no matter what it is, and because of that, it's difficult for them to feel uninterested.
Naturally curious people who do these things are smarter than most because they eagerly dive into any subject, open and willing to try or learn something new. They're willing to discuss a wide range of topics, from the most random of things to the most serious, which explains why they're never bored in the first place.
Being open-minded is also an incredible benefit. Research from Frontiers in Neurology found that openness impacts creativity, while other research from Intelligence has shown that people who are highly creative tend to have higher intelligence.
9. They stay up late
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Curious people don't mind staying up late because they're eager to learn new things. Since their minds are constantly working, it's unsurprising to find them researching or reading up into the late hours. And it reveals quite a lot about their intelligence.
Research published in BMJ Public Health found that individuals who are "night owls," or stay up very late, have higher cognitive skills than those who are "early birds." While this is a good thing, they must also be sure they get enough sleep. Because if their mind hasn't had time to rest, things can quickly spiral.
10. They listen more than they talk
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On the outside, curious people may appear closed-off or anti-social, as their interest tends to drift towards certain things that many people may find boring or uninteresting. But it's only because they're processing what's being said and storing it for later.
When people listen more than they talk, they actually benefit from this silence. As a study published Brain Structure and Function found, rats who had two hours of silence a day developed new cells in the hippocampus, known for memory, emotions, and learning.
So, it's great that they don't feel pressured to speak up or fill an awkward silence. Sometimes, people need a five-minute break to process what was said and go from there.
Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a bachelor's in psychology who covers self-help, relationships, career, and family topics.
