Why Do Smart or Genius People Seem Arrogant?
Posted on Quora, 1/18/16, by Tom Groves, Tried hard to be smart. Got distracted by other things @CuriousBitBob
Because several of the characteristics of arrogant people are similar to the characteristics of smart people.
Example 1, arrogant people believe that they know more than they do, and they will talk as if they are experts.
Smart people will also talk as if they are experts, often because they are experts.
If you're not an expert yourself it may be tricky to tell them apart.
Example 2, arrogant people won't listen to others and don't like to take input or criticism.
Smart people will also ignore feedback from other people, because they understand what they're doing better than the people who are giving them the feedback.
Example 3, arrogant people may put others down by correcting them or try to make themselves feel good by making other people feel inferior
Smart people can make other people feel inferior simply by being smarter.
In truth many smart people cross the fine line between the two, either because the don't realise how they come over or because they don't care. And in some sense they have a point - if you're right and you know you're right it can be tiresome to deal with someone who clearly doesn't understand something as well as you do, especially if they don't realise it. This is unfortunate I think. It's a tough situation to be in.
People often think I'm arrogant (you're probably thinking it right now) which is especially frustrating because I'm only mildly smart. I'm excruciatingly aware of that particular fact right now so I'm going to stop writing.
Because several of the characteristics of arrogant people are similar to the characteristics of smart people.
Example 1, arrogant people believe that they know more than they do, and they will talk as if they are experts.
Smart people will also talk as if they are experts, often because they are experts.
If you're not an expert yourself it may be tricky to tell them apart.
Example 2, arrogant people won't listen to others and don't like to take input or criticism.
Smart people will also ignore feedback from other people, because they understand what they're doing better than the people who are giving them the feedback.
Example 3, arrogant people may put others down by correcting them or try to make themselves feel good by making other people feel inferior
Smart people can make other people feel inferior simply by being smarter.
In truth many smart people cross the fine line between the two, either because the don't realise how they come over or because they don't care. And in some sense they have a point - if you're right and you know you're right it can be tiresome to deal with someone who clearly doesn't understand something as well as you do, especially if they don't realise it. This is unfortunate I think. It's a tough situation to be in.
People often think I'm arrogant (you're probably thinking it right now) which is especially frustrating because I'm only mildly smart. I'm excruciatingly aware of that particular fact right now so I'm going to stop writing.
That is a great question, as I sometimes run into this.
1) With an IQ of 147, I would be considered “smart,” but I never go around deliberately acting as if I am. However, I have encountered people who are resentful, even hostile at my natural “smartness.”
I’ve been a professional musician for 45 years, and that’s the area where I’ve most often experienced this. While I enjoy playing all types of music, my forte is jazz. There have been occasions, not that many though, when I’ve played with rock musicians, where they’ve become hostile when they find out.
It’s as if they’re have this preconceived notion that I will be arrogant because I’m a trained musician. What’s going on of course is that they are the ones being arrogant, a classic case of psychological projection, the foundation of which is their innate insecurity.
I also occasionally run into arrogance from fellow jazz musicians. Again, the underlying reason is that they are insecure in their own abilities. It doesn’t matter how good they truly are. If insecurity’s there, they feel threatened.
2) As for “smart” people themselves, I think it may have to do with personality, as many "smart" people I've known are not arrogant.
In regard to the ones that are, one would think that with the gift of intelligence, they'd know better, but that isn't the case. I think that some smart people fall into the trap of assuming that just because they are smart and knowledgeable in some areas, they are knowledgeable about everything. i.e. know-it-alls.
Again, this is probably caused by feelings of insecurity that override their intrinsic intelligence, and cause the use of many defense mechanisms. To admit imperfection would be to confront those feelings of insecurity, which they cannot do, hence the arrogance, which is a form of denial.
That's my opinion on the matter :)
1) With an IQ of 147, I would be considered “smart,” but I never go around deliberately acting as if I am. However, I have encountered people who are resentful, even hostile at my natural “smartness.”
I’ve been a professional musician for 45 years, and that’s the area where I’ve most often experienced this. While I enjoy playing all types of music, my forte is jazz. There have been occasions, not that many though, when I’ve played with rock musicians, where they’ve become hostile when they find out.
It’s as if they’re have this preconceived notion that I will be arrogant because I’m a trained musician. What’s going on of course is that they are the ones being arrogant, a classic case of psychological projection, the foundation of which is their innate insecurity.
I also occasionally run into arrogance from fellow jazz musicians. Again, the underlying reason is that they are insecure in their own abilities. It doesn’t matter how good they truly are. If insecurity’s there, they feel threatened.
2) As for “smart” people themselves, I think it may have to do with personality, as many "smart" people I've known are not arrogant.
In regard to the ones that are, one would think that with the gift of intelligence, they'd know better, but that isn't the case. I think that some smart people fall into the trap of assuming that just because they are smart and knowledgeable in some areas, they are knowledgeable about everything. i.e. know-it-alls.
Again, this is probably caused by feelings of insecurity that override their intrinsic intelligence, and cause the use of many defense mechanisms. To admit imperfection would be to confront those feelings of insecurity, which they cannot do, hence the arrogance, which is a form of denial.
That's my opinion on the matter :)