History of Genius in Timeline

Genius is defined as original and exceptional insight, surpassing expectations and setting new standards in art or any endeavor. It signifies the establishment of better methods and capabilities that competitors cannot match. The concept is strongly linked to intellectual ability and creative productivity, often associated with individuals demonstrating such extraordinary talent. The term can also refer to polymaths who excel across various fields, showcasing a broad range of exceptional abilities.

1911: Death of Francis Galton

In 1911, Francis Galton, who initiated the assessment of intelligence, passed away. He, along with James McKeen Cattell, had advocated for analyzing reaction time and sensory acuity to measure 'neurophysiological efficiency' and intelligence.

1916: Terman's Stanford-Binet Test classification

In 1916, Lewis Terman selected "'near' genius or genius" as the classification label for the highest classification on his version of the Stanford–Binet test.

1926: Genetic Studies of Genius

In 1926, Lewis Terman initiated the Genetic Studies of Genius, a longitudinal study of California schoolchildren referred for IQ testing by their teachers, which he continued for the remainder of his life.

1937: Terman's Second Revision of Stanford-Binet Test

In 1937, with the second revision of the Stanford–Binet test, Lewis Terman discontinued the use of the term 'genius' as an IQ classification.

1939: Wechsler's Commentary on Genius and IQ Tests

In 1939, David Wechsler expressed hesitation in labeling someone a genius solely based on a single intelligence test score.

2010: Karolinska Institute Study on Creativity and Schizophrenia

In 2010, a study by the Karolinska Institute found that highly creative individuals and schizophrenics have a lower density of thalamic dopamine D2 receptors, potentially leading to a higher flow of information from the thalamus.