In a society that values knowledge and awareness, falling into the trap of uneducated behaviors can be more than just embarrassing. It can also be detrimental to your personal and professional life.
Here are eighteen common behaviors that are often perceived as signs of being “uneducated.”
1. Resistance to Change
“An inability to change opinion when new evidence is presented.”
Being open to new information and willing to change your stance based on evidence is a sign of intelligence and maturity. Don’t let stubbornness hold you back; embrace growth and learning.
2. Misspelled Tattoos
“No Regerts”
While tattoos are a personal choice and a form of expression, misspelled tattoos can unfortunately give off a negative impression. Always double-check the spelling and grammar before getting inked.
3. Littering
“I go camping pretty often. The amount of litter I have to clean up is truly disgusting and it’s all the time. I don’t know how hard it is to just get a trash bag.”
Littering harms the environment and paints you in a bad light. Always dispose of your waste responsibly and encourage others to do the same.
4. Using Clichéd Phrases In Your Dating Profile
“The School of Hard Knocks (also referred to as the University of Life or University of Hard Knocks) is an idiomatic phrase meaning the (sometimes painful) education one gets from life’s usually negative experiences, often contrasted with formal education.”
Phrases like “School of Hard Knocks” are overused and can be perceived as a lack of originality or depth. Try to express yourself in a genuinely reflective way of who you are.
5. Unwillingness to Admit Mistakes
“There’s a lot of very educated narcissists”
Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone dares to admit them. Showing that you can own up to your errors and learn from them is a sign of strength, not weakness.
6. Dismissing Statistics with Anecdotes
“”That’s just stats, I’m talking about real life””
Using personal stories to refute well-established statistics can be seen as a lack of understanding of how data works. It’s essential to differentiate between individual experiences and broader trends.
7. Boasting About High IQ
“If you want to humble someone with a high IQ, don’t try to undermine the test. Someone that is actually gifted has had a lifetime of experience being noticeably ‘smarter’ than most people and aren’t going to be too phased that you think their number might be +/- ~5% (it is all relative anyway). Just ask them if they’ve lived up to the expectations everyone had of them as a child.”
True intelligence is multi-faceted and goes beyond a score on a test. Boasting about a high IQ score can come off as arrogant and uninformed. IQ is an emergent property of various cognitive mechanisms and not the sole driver of cognitive potential.
It is intertwined with various societal outcomes and influenced by individual backgrounds, including education and personal experiences. Recognizing the multi-dimensional nature of intelligence can foster a more humble and informed perspective.
8. Believing In Flat Earth Theory
“For me, it’s simple. They’re not astronomers or physicists; they’re full-of-sh*&icists. Therefore, until they can build a telescope, build rocket, place the telescope on this rocket, launch the rocket, deploy the telescope , point that thang at Earth, and literally show us a flat Earth , then they can all f*** ALLLLLLLL THE WAY OFF!!!!!!”
Subscribing to debunked theories, like the earth being flat, can seriously undermine your credibility. Always base your beliefs on credible sources and scientific evidence.
9. Dismissing Others’ Opinions
“Am I the only one who gives a sh** about rules?”
Saying things like “Well, that’s just your opinion, dude” without providing a reasoned argument can be perceived as dismissive and uneducated.
10. Claiming to be Much Smarter than Everyone Else
“Honestly, the most telling sign is saying/believing that you are actually much smarter than everyone else. When someone declares that they are smart and know everything about a topic, it’s the Dunning-Kruger effect in action. The more educated I become, the more I am aware of gaps in my knowledge.
Educated people don’t have to tell you they are educated, you draw that conclusion yourself by talking to them.”
Being aware of the gaps in your knowledge is a sign of education. It is essential to avoid falling into the trap of the Dunning-Kruger effect, a cognitive bias where individuals overestimate their abilities due to a lack of self-awareness.
To foster self-awareness and avoid this pitfall, routinely question your knowledge base and be open to feedback and constructive criticism. Recognizing the potential to be wrong is a step towards genuine understanding and wisdom.
11. Self-Proclaimed “Alpha Male”
“Usually means they’re insecure in their own masculinity.”
Describing oneself as an “alpha male” can come off as lacking self-awareness and understanding of complex human behaviors and relationships.
12. Falling for Chain Messages
“The dumbest thing I’ve ever heard a person say was she believed Obama was a Muslim because she got a chain text saying so.”
Believing in misinformation circulated through chain messages shows a lack of critical thinking. Always verify information from reliable sources.
13. Misusing Common Words
“No Oxford comma? Troglodyte….”
Not knowing the difference between “they’re,” “there,” and “their” can be a red flag. Brush up on your grammar to avoid common mistakes.
14. Dismissing the Importance of Math
“I saw a teacher on one of these subs who claimed to be a 3rd grade teacher or something. They felt as though they were doing a disservice to their students teaching them math… because “they’ll never use it.”
Math teaches us critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Dismissing it as unnecessary showcases a lack of understanding of its broader applications.
15. Seeing Things In Absolutes
“There is nuance in everything, and if you can’t see it, you just are not very bright. People who swear one political party is all good, and the other all bad, for example, just do not have the intellectual capacity to see the benefits and drawbacks in each.”
Life is nuanced, and seeing things in black and white can indicate a lack of critical thinking and understanding of complexities.
16. Racism
“Racism.”
Racism is a clear indicator of ignorance and lack of education. Embrace diversity and educate yourself on the experiences of others.
17. Being Excessively Loud In Public
“Being loud as f*** in public.”
Maintaining a respectful volume when in public spaces shows consideration for others and self-awareness.
18. Disregarding Expertise
“What do you mean lavender essential oil doesn’t work against cancer?”
Experts have in-depth knowledge in their fields. Disregarding their opinions without valid reasons can be seen as uneducated.
From understanding the multifaceted nature of intelligence to avoiding the pitfalls of cognitive biases like the Dunning-Kruger effect, awareness of these behaviors can help you navigate social landscapes more adeptly.
Intelligence is not just about what you know, it’s about being open to learning and growing. Equip yourself with knowledge and foster a respectful and self-aware approach to life.
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Sources
- blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/iq-and-society/
- psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/dunning-kruger-effect
- reddit.com/r/AskMen/comments/15ugqwi/what_screams_im_uneducated/
This article was produced and syndicated by Viral Chatter.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
