ABSTRACT
Here the stereotype is explored of extremely intelligent individuals as being eccentric or socially dysfunctional. Examples are given of depictions of this in characters in novels (e.g. Harry Potter’s Hermione), history (e.g. Alan Turing) and the media (e.g. Elon Musk). Manifestations of interpersonal difficulty in high-IQ/gifted adults are analysed through an extensive literature review, and in excerpts from Sonja Falck’s qualitative research interviews with Mensa members where a theme was identified of very high IQ being paired with interpersonal difficulty. How high-IQ interpersonal difficulty arises, its nature, its consequences, and its impact on the actualising of potential are analysed. The nature of such interpersonal difficulty is theorised as being of two main kinds – “Naive Child” and “Arrogant Emperor”. It is concluded that the extent there is of documented interpersonal difficulty related to high IQ/giftedness is what has brought about the “socially inept” stereotype. The purpose such a stereotype might serve is then explored. Roland Persson’s work on “the unwanted gifted” is referred to by way of considering the social role of giftedness and the paradox of its desirability/undesirability. The concepts of “stereotype threat” (Steele & Aronson) and “stigmatised identities” (Moodley & Lubin) are applied to individuals who manifest extreme intelligence.
