Intelligence and high giftedness

What to know

How does IQ affect our lives? How much does intelligence matter to the life we live? What role does it play in how we learn and thrive, and in the opportunities and challenges we face? Intelligence is one of the best-documented factors in research when it comes to explaining differences in people's life course. High intelligence is associated with better opportunities in education, work and income, among other things. Yet the topic is sensitive because intelligence is not only about test scores and performance, but also about identity, expectations, vulnerability, and the sense of fitting in. In recent years, there has been increased attention to giftedness, especially in primary schools and in the debate about the well-being of children and young people. But what does it actually mean to be highly gifted? How does high giftedness differ from intelligence - and why isn't it always a golden ticket to an easy life?