I suspect that people often have a hard time understanding the values and thought processes of the highly intelligent. For example, they may wonder “Why isn’t Billy-Boy following the crowd?” or “Why is Bobbi so fascinated by <such-and-such-topic>? It’s so boring!” To the casual observer, this mean seem like borderline mental illness – hence the perception that geniuses tend to be mentally unstable.
Just a WAG, but I think it has merit.
Exceptions proove the rule :D:D
Following JThunder’s description: Wouldn’t a person in such circumstances (i.e., a social outcast), be more vulnerable to psychological problems?
I don’t think so. You’d first have to establish that intelligence and non-conformity are correlated; which I’ve never seen anything in research to suggest.
Values certainly transcend intelligence; I mean, it’s not like smart people like honesty or integrity more than the less intelligent.
And the thought processes are the same regardless of intelligence.
I assume we’re talking about the “school friendly” intelligences here; verbal for instance rather than kinesthetic.
I mean, does anyone think Michael Jordan’s ability to dunk (ability to quickly translate an idea into a physical operation, adjust physically to circumstances, etc.) probably puts him over the edge mentally?
Mental illness is generally (very generally) caused by a combination of:
OP Title:
Rarely is the question asked – is our children learning?
[…must be contagious or something…]
regurgit8:
I’m a fully employed, tax-paying, professional paranoid schizzy. I can indeed see something that, judging from your post, you cannot see.