Intelligence, Common Sense, and Locked-In Beliefs: Understanding the Difference

In our daily lives, we often hear the terms “intelligence” and “common sense” used interchangeably. However, these two concepts, while related, are distinct in several important ways. Understanding the difference between them can help us appreciate the unique contributions each makes to our decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

What is Intelligence?

Intelligence is a multifaceted concept that encompasses a person’s ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge. It involves various cognitive processes such as reasoning, problem-solving, and abstract thinking. Intelligence is often measured through standardized tests that assess different aspects of cognitive ability, such as IQ tests.

What is Common Sense?

Common sense, on the other hand, refers to the ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on practical knowledge and everyday experience. It is often described as “good sense” or “sound judgment” in practical matters. Unlike intelligence, common sense does not require specialized knowledge or formal education. Instead, it is acquired through life experiences and observations.

Dictionary.com defines common sense as sound practical judgment that is independent of specialized knowledge, training, or the like; normal native intelligence.

What are “locked-in beliefs?”

Beliefs are personal convictions about what is true.

Beliefs become locked-in when people only expose themselves to input that makes them feel good.

Locked-in beliefs often have a powerful negatively emotional punch. When people read, see, or hear things that are different or contrary to their beliefs, they often get angry. Under that anger in a subtle more threatening way is fear.

People perceive these differences as threatening.  Common examples that make people threatened are politics, race or ethnicity, religion, even sports rivalries.

The most common sources of information that strengthen the lock of our beliefs include politically-based cable news networks, political talk show radio, politically slanted newspaper articles, social media, or any other source of information that is consistent with our beliefs.

People can challenge their limiting beliefs by acknowledging them and questioning them as facts.

How Locked-In Beliefs Close Your Mind to Opportunities to a Better life

While intelligence refers to the broader ability to learn, reason, and solve problems, common sense is a more practical form of judgment used in everyday situations, and beliefs are personal convictions about the world, often shaped by experiences and culture, which may or may not align with factual knowledge or logic; essentially, intelligence is about cognitive capacity, common sense is about practical application of knowledge, and beliefs are personal convictions about what is true.

Beliefs,on the other hand, create a platform that defies intelligence and common sense. They can divide people, destroy friendships, and lead people to make decisions and act when these decisions and acts are not in a person’s best interests.