We can observe the evolution of personality changes that accompany changes in intelligence by watching young children evolve into adults. Young children live in an egocentric world. While they learn at a prodigious rate, they live on a roller coaster of emotion. They scream with joy as they plunge into the swimming pool and wail with grief when they swallow a mouthful of water. The time lapse between exquisite joy and unfathomed grief can span less than 60 seconds. Their thinking is mainly reactive and their responses to events are essentially emotional.
As children move into teenage, they become more social and less egocentric–more concerned about how they are perceived by others, than during their egocentric past. Being part of a group becomes increasingly more important and the fear of being excluded makes them more tribal. The onset of puberty, brings on self-consciousness, as well as a greater sense of “self.” As their capacity for rational thinking increases, they become less impulsive than before and begin to plan and learn from experience. Some, infused with a recognition of their heightened mental and physical capacities develop a healthy arrogance about what they can know or what they can do. This condition was cogently described by the poet Alexander Pope (An Essay on Criticism) 300 years ago when he was 23 years of age.
Fired at first sight with what the Muse imparts,
In fearless youth we tempt the heights of Arts;
While from the bounded level of our mind
Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind…
However, as we gain more experience (crystallized intelligence), our rational thinking plays an increasingly strong role in our thinking processes. We tend to become less certain about things and less likely to join a cause without investigating its origins and tenets. We become more careful in reaching opinions, making us appear less passionate and more reserved. The extent to which these changes occur depends a great deal on education.
When Einstein was in Boston, a reporter challenged him with a question taken from the famous Edison test, “Dr. Einstein, what is the speed of sound?” Einstein responded, “I don’t carry such information in my mind since it is readily available in books.” The reporter persisted, “Mr. Edison contends that a college education is of little value.” Einstein responded, “The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.”
Those who are exposed to science, literature and philosophy learn how to acquire information before forming opinions. They learn that scientific facts are always held in abeyance pending new information. This makes them less likely to move to certainty on many issues and makes them more tolerant of dissenting views. They are also reluctant to express their ideas in a group that is not receptive to the rational approach to discussion. The increase in crystallized intelligence is manifest in a more reserved outward appearance. Some people may interpret this as increased “coldness” and lack of passion.
In a nutshell, as we become more intelligent, we become more independent in our thought, less tribal and spend considerably more time in rational, rather than emotional mode. Our personality may project a more subdued and less passionate persona, but it will offer a more inviting connection from those of like mind.
