7 phrases unintelligent people often use, according to psychology

For a long time, I was baffled by the words people often used.

You know what I mean:

• “It’s not my fault”
• “I can’t do it”
• “It’s not fair”

And the classic, “I’m always right.”

As the founder of Hack Spirit and a psychology enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by the way we communicate.

In my early years, I found myself puzzled by these phrases. They didn’t seem to align with the mentality of successful, intelligent people I admired.

I spent years studying psychology and observing interactions, trying to decipher what these commonly used phrases really mean.

Well, after much research, I’ve discovered something fascinating: these are typical phrases that unintelligent people often use, according to psychology.

In this article, we’ll dive into these phrases and what they reveal about the people who use them.

Get ready for some enlightening insights.

1) “I know that already”

This phrase was one of the first that caught my attention.

It’s the classic know-it-all statement: “I know that already.”

People who are genuinely intelligent are often eager to learn and willing to admit when they don’t know something. That’s how they became intelligent in the first place.

Yet, I kept hearing this phrase from individuals who, according to psychological research, didn’t quite fit the intelligent profile.

Why is this phrase a red flag? It suggests a closed mind. A person using it is usually trying to avoid new information or perspectives. They’re essentially shutting down the opportunity to learn and grow.

In psychology, we call this a “fixed mindset.” It can be a major roadblock to personal development and, ironically, to becoming more intelligent.

So, next time you find yourself about to say, “I know that already,” pause and ask yourself: Do I really? Or am I just afraid to learn something new?

2) “It’s not fair”

One phrase I used to find myself saying quite often was “It’s not fair”.

Looking back, I realize that what I was really doing was playing the victim. Instead of taking responsibility for my situation and looking for ways to improve it, I complained about the unfairness of it all.

Psychology tells us that this is a common trait amongst unintelligent people. They see themselves as victims of their circumstances, rather than active agents in their own lives.

This phrase reminded me of something the famous psychologist Carl Jung once said: “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”

Jung’s words resonated with me. The more I contemplated them, the more I recognized my own tendency to blame external circumstances for everything that went wrong in my life. It was a wake-up call.

I realized that life isn’t always fair, and that’s okay. What matters is how we react to our circumstances. By adopting a proactive mindset, we can turn even the most challenging situations into opportunities for growth and self-improvement.

3) “I can’t do it”

The phrase “I can’t do it” was another one that used to trip me up.

I remember a specific instance when I was asked to speak at a public event. My immediate response was, “I can’t do it.” I was convinced that I would mess it up, embarrass myself, and let everyone down.

Psychology reveals that this phrase is often a defense mechanism used by those who fear failure. Rather than facing the possibility of not succeeding, they choose not to try at all.

However, the truth is that we never know what we’re capable of until we try. We grow and learn from our mistakes and failures, not from avoiding challenges.

It took me a while to muster the courage to face my fear of public speaking. But when I finally did, I discovered that I was much more capable than I had given myself credit for.

4) “I’m always right”

The phrase “I’m always right” used to be a personal favorite of mine. I thought it projected confidence and authority. But in reality, it was doing the opposite.

This phrase is often a sign of overconfidence and unwillingness to entertain other viewpoints. People who are truly intelligent understand that they don’t know everything and are open to learning from others.

In fact, a study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that individuals who overestimate their cognitive abilities—a trait common among people who believe they’re always right—are perceived as less competent by their peers.

This was a real eye-opener for me. I realized that by insisting I was always right, I was not only closing myself off to new ideas but also damaging my reputation.

From then on, I made an effort to be more open-minded and receptive to the perspectives of others. And guess what? It turned out I wasn’t always right after all. In fact, I learned more from admitting my mistakes and shortcomings than I ever did from insisting I was right.

So, if you find yourself often saying “I’m always right”, remember this study and consider the potential impact on how others perceive you.

5) “That’s impossible”

I recall a time when I was faced with a challenging project at work. My first reaction was to say, “That’s impossible.” I was convinced that the task was too daunting, too complex, and simply beyond my capabilities.

This phrase is a clear sign of a limiting mindset. Unintelligent people often use it as a defense mechanism to avoid trying something difficult or outside their comfort zone.

But the truth is, nothing is truly impossible if we put our minds to it. The biggest barriers are often the ones we create in our own minds.

After some soul-searching and encouragement from my colleagues, I decided to tackle the project head-on. It was difficult, no doubt, but not impossible. I came out on the other side with newfound confidence and a deep sense of accomplishment.

6) “I don’t need to write it down”

For a long time, I believed in the strength of my memory. I used to say, “I don’t need to write it down, I’ll remember it.” But as tasks and responsibilities piled up, I found myself forgetting important details, missing deadlines and feeling increasingly overwhelmed.

This phrase is a common one among unintelligent people, reflecting overconfidence in their memory or an underestimation of the complexity of the task at hand.

In fact, renowned psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus discovered that we forget about 70% of new information within the first 24 hours if we don’t review it. His quote – “What is learned with difficulty is better retained” – resonated with me.

Recognizing the wisdom in Ebbinghaus’s words, I started making lists and jotting down important points. This small change had a huge impact on my productivity and stress levels.

7) “I don’t have time”

“I don’t have time.” I used to say this phrase a lot. Work, social commitments, personal projects – it felt like there was never enough time in the day to get everything done.

But here’s the counterintuitive truth: Saying “I don’t have time” is often a sign of poor time management, not a lack of time. Intelligent people understand that we all have the same 24 hours in a day; it’s how we choose to use them that matters.

When I realized this, I started to take a hard look at how I was spending my time. I discovered that I was wasting a lot of it on unproductive activities like scrolling through social media or watching TV shows.

So, instead of saying “I don’t have time,” try asking yourself, “How am I choosing to spend my time?” You might find that you have more time than you think once you start using it wisely.

A practical tip: Try tracking your activities for a week to see where your time really goes. This can help you identify time-wasters and make better use of your day.

Conclusion

Understanding the phrases that can hold us back is the first step towards changing our mindset and improving our intelligence.

Remember, everyone, including myself, has used these phrases at some point. But it’s recognizing and challenging them that can lead to personal growth.

So, here’s a practical tip: Pay attention to your language. Notice when you use one of these phrases and consider what it might be revealing about your mindset.

Are you closing yourself off to new ideas, playing the victim, or avoiding challenges because you fear failure?

Once we become aware of these patterns, we can start to change them. And that’s when we truly start to grow.

As the founder of Hack Spirit and a psychology enthusiast, I hope this article has given you some useful insights into how our language reflects our intelligence and mindset. Remember, the power to change is always in our hands.