Extreme Intelligence: Development, Predicaments, Implications

by Sonja Falck

Extreme intelligence is strongly correlated with the highest of human achievement, but also, paradoxically, with higher relationship conflict, career difficulty, mental illness, and high-IQ crime. Increased intelligence does not necessarily increase success; it should be considered as a minority special need that requires nurturing.

This book explores the social development and predicaments of those who possess extreme intelligence, and the consequent personal and professional implications for them. It uniquely integrates insights and knowledge from the research fields of intelligence, giftedness, genius, and expertise with those from depth psychology, emphasising the importance of finding ways to talk effectively about extreme intelligence, and how it can better be supported and embraced. The author supports her arguments throughout, reviewing the academic literature alongside representations of genius in history, fiction, and the media, and draws on her own first-hand research interviews and consulting work with multinational high-IQ adults.

This book is essential reading for anyone supporting or working with the highly gifted, as well as those researching or interested by the field of intelligence.

Genres: Psychology, Science, Nonfiction

238 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2019

Reviews

[Bogdan Badiu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25, a very useful book that helped me relate better

[M.A.R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very illuminating read on the subject of extreme intelligence and our conversations surrounding it. I found the ample research provided, as well the reflective prompts, interviews, and even the appendix, very useful and indicative of great effort and expertise.
Falck’s work was very refreshing to engage with and I believe it’ll be helpful to many affected by giftedness, individually or otherwise.

[Chris Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

An argument for extreme intelligence

A well reasoned and well referenced academic analysis of the issues facing gifted individuals.
This should form the argument for extreme intelligence to be a Protected Characteristic and encourage institutions and employers alike to consider ways to support and nurture their gifted human resources for the benefit of all.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is extremely intelligent, not defined as odd genius, but at the top end of the Bell curve of IQ. I have enjoyed Freeman but this is absolutely the best I have read and a joy and a help.

[Pixel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first part, where she goes over the literature of giftedness and its causes, is fascinating. However, I found myself having difficulty taking her own research seriously, due to two principal factors. First, she seems to work mostly or even exclusively with MENSA people, a fringe of the population who are gifted but also, by nature of MENSA, felt rejected enough from the rest of the world to have a need to find their own people. I would be curious to have numbers as to what percent of the gifted population is not in MENSA, and see if her theories are reproducible there. Second, her cited examples of genius behaviour makes me wonder how deep her understanding of genius is, as she cites mostly people who are anything but (Elon Musk is the principal offender here, but also Zuckerberg, and even Steve Job who, even if I don't like, will admit was at least above intelligence). She sometimes cites true genius, such as Turing, but mostly billionaires.

[Kurtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A qualitative masterpiece ✨️