When it comes to IQ, higher scores will often get the limelight. But the lowest recorded IQ in human history has been the deal with many great and significant characters in the society of men! Talk of science, arts, humanities, and many other human fields of knowledge and concern, the luminaries on these fields were considered to be human figures with what is termed as ‘lowest IQ’.
An IQ (meaning ‘intelligence quotient’) is a numerical score coined by the psychologist William Stern in 1912. According to Mensa International, the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world, IQ indicates how far above, or how far below, his/her peer group an individual stands in mental ability.
Many scientists have suggested there are many types of intelligence. However, one scientist, Charles Spearman suggests there’s one dominant general intelligence factor, or the ‘g factor.’ This is what’s primarily measured on IQ tests.
Standardized cognitive tests give us an individual’s IQ, or intelligence quotient, score. It gauges how well an individual can use information and logic to make predictions or answer questions.
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The Lowest Recorded IQ in Human History
Well, for some egoistic reasons that are best known by the individual, the decision to want to know the lowest recorded IQ in human history may be outright personal! Therefore, you are free to have tried to make this research in the first place!
The lowest recorded IQ in human history is estimated to fall between 40 and 45 points. Although theoretically the lowest possible IQ score could be zero, no such score has ever been documented in practice. Extremely low scores like these are typically associated with severe intellectual disabilities or brain impairments, and such individuals often have profound cognitive challenges. Testing accuracy and validity at these low extremes of the IQ scale are limited, as many with very low cognitive abilities may be unable to meaningfully participate in standardized IQ testing. Thus, while the theoretical concept of a zero IQ exists, the lowest documented scores remain above this, generally within the 40 to 45 range.
Lowest IQ Score
People with smooth brains or lissencephaly tend to get the lowest IQ’s, which is around 20.
There’s no record of the lowest IQ ever. However, the lowest IQ score possible is zero. Can someone actually get this low of a score? In theory, yes. But no one in recorded history has officially scored zero on an IQ test, even if that result is theoretically attainable.
Even determining the lowest IQ ever, it’s tricky territory. IQ scores below 75 points are often held by those with some form of mental or cognitive impairment, which typically aren’t asked or required to complete IQ tests.
Dignitaries with Recorded Lowest IQ
Even presidents aren’t immune to IQ comparisons. In the U.S., it seems that President Ulysses S. Grant takes the claim for the ‘President With the Lowest IQ’ with a score of 120. Then, comes James Monroe and Warren G. Harding.
With that being said, it’s important to remember that IQ tests only measure a very narrow set of traits. And those who score below the borderline category may have different learning styles or types of thinking.
And regardless of where you fall on the IQ spectrum, anyone with gumption and determination can achieve greatness. For instance, there are those with Down Syndrome who’ve gone on to open their own businesses. Or those who have a low IQ, but a high EQ.
Measuring Standards for a Working IQ
Working IQ is measured by standardized cognitive tests that assess key mental functions like memory, reasoning, and processing speed. These scores are then compared to a population average using strict testing standards to ensure fairness and accuracy.
The measuring standards for a working IQ revolve around assessing how effectively a person can use their cognitive abilities in real-time, practical situations. Rather than just testing how much a person knows, working IQ evaluates how well someone can think, solve problems, adapt, and process information under typical conditions.
To measure this, psychologists use standardized tests designed to assess specific mental functions such as reasoning, memory, attention, language, and processing speed. These tests are carefully developed and normed on large groups of people to create a baseline, with most scores centered around an average — usually set at 100. A person’s performance is then compared to that average, allowing their score to reflect how their cognitive functioning stacks up against the general population.
The tests are built to be consistent and fair, using statistical methods to ensure they produce reliable results across different groups and settings. The scores themselves are interpreted within a range, indicating whether someone’s cognitive abilities are above average, average, or below average. Ultimately, these measuring standards are about objectively evaluating how well someone can mentally operate in everyday tasks, not just in academic or theoretical contexts. However, today’s IQ tests measure an adult’s intelligence based on these index scales:
- Verbal reasoning: How a person processes words, assesses them, and applies them.
- Perceptual reasoning: A person’s ability to assess visual details, identify details between similar images, and so on.
- Working memory: A person’s ability to register, maintain, recall, and manipulate information visually and auditorily in a short period of time.
- Processing speed: How quickly a person can process new information.
It’s also best to keep in mind that IQ tests are relative tests, not absolute ones. In a nutshell, it doesn’t measure intelligence the way a ruler measures height, but rather the way a race measures speed.
Neurodevelopmental Conditions Associated with Severe Cognitive Impairment
Neurodevelopmental conditions associated with severe cognitive impairment are disorders that affect the growth and development of the brain, leading to significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. These conditions usually begin early in life and influence how individuals think, learn, communicate, and interact with their environment. Children with such conditions often experience delayed milestones in speech, movement, and problem-solving skills, and they may require lifelong support to manage daily activities and learning tasks.
The causes are often complex, involving genetic factors, prenatal influences, and early brain injury or infections. For example, chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, genetic mutations, or conditions like Fragile X syndrome can interfere with normal brain development, resulting in severe cognitive challenges. Environmental factors, including poor prenatal nutrition, exposure to toxins, or complications during birth, can also play a role in worsening the condition.
Individuals with severe cognitive impairment may find it difficult to process information, remember things, or communicate effectively. They may also struggle with self-care, social interaction, and adapting to new situations. With proper care, early intervention, and educational support, however, many can still develop certain skills and live fulfilling lives within supportive environments.
