9 Signs You Are Intellectually Compatible With Your Partner

What are some things that matter the most to you? Is it important that your partner shares your passions and hobbies? Have you ever wondered if you both are compatible? And if yes, what are your thoughts on intellectual compatibility? Intellectual compatibility comes from a place of mental stimulation through compassionate and productive discussions on topics of personal significance. It plays a vital role in strengthening the relationship at its later stages. Once the adrenaline wears off, it is one of the things that motivates you to stay together.

But do we always assess the intellectual compatibility in our relationship correctly? The estimation of our partner’s intelligence tends to be distorted. As stated in this study, women tend to be better at discerning the IQ of their partners than men. But, regardless of gender, we all need some help in understanding if we’re intellectually compatible with our partners. And that’s why, we’re here to help you today.

Does Intellectual Compatibility Matter In A Relationship?

Short answer: Yes, it is a must when you are hoping to be in a long-term relationship with your partner.

Now, for the long one, let’s understand why intellectual compatibility holds the importance that it does within a relationship. Intellectual compatibility begins with mutual respect for each other’s points of view in a discussion/debate. When that is established, every conversation is more stimulating, productive, and efficient. When two people are in complete sync with what their partner is trying to say, they can be called intellectually compatible.

Being intellectually compatible with someone could include: 

• Having interesting conversations with them
• Learning a lot from each other 
• Being able to relate to your partner in a crisis situation 
• Agreeing with each other on core issues
• Understanding each other’s points of view in disagreements 
• Stimulating each other mentally by motivating each other toward professional/personal betterment

Intellectual compatibility leads to higher longevity of relationships and better mental health for both the people involved. It provides a space of comfort and welcomes differences of opinions, so you broaden your horizons and gain fresh perspectives. According to this research, given that there is some intellectual similarity in the couple initially, the relationship is further strengthened as the couple chooses to mirror their intellectual capabilities over the years. This happens due to shared interests and mutual respect for each other’s points of view. 

Whether you are searching for some intellectual compatibility in marriage or a relationship, what is important to note is that it is not achieved in a day. Simply put, there is no perfectly matched intellectual compatibility. It is about the efforts you put to cross some bridges as you test your intent in this partnership. As you’ll read further, you’ll understand why spotting signs of intellectual compatibility in dating is important for a happier, growth-inducing path for your relationship.

Signs You Are Intellectually Compatible With Your Partner

While intellectual compatibility is quite discreet as it tiptoes into a relationship, its presence is loud enough to be heard by all those around. It is not uncommon to see couples fight over trivial affairs and petty household issues. Even with the foundation of marriage, they do not seem to get along as well as you would expect. Have you ever wondered what the missing ingredient could be? Well, now you know. 

But how do you assess your relationship to be different from that of the old bickering couple that can no longer stand each other? We have some quick pointers for you to draw a stable conclusion about your relationship. Let’s see, shall we?

Related Reading: 12 Ways To Build Intellectual Intimacy In A Relationship

1. You share many common ideologies

Ideologies that we hold close to our hearts generally make us defensive when challenged. They can be defined as the basis of most of our decisions or choices in life. When we are in a dilemma and need to pick a side or choose the morally right option, our ideologies guide us through. It is, therefore, crucial to meet someone who agrees with us on our very fundamentals. 

If you are a person who has had a go-getter attitude her whole life, then a laid-back partner who believes in things working out their own way could be a bad match. However, if you have been observing that you and your partner agree on most of the decisions you undertake or even just your observations as a third party, it could be a sure sign of intellectual compatibility.

Intellectual compatibility arises out of the intersecting opinions of two parties. Even IF they don’t intersect, they must not run in the opposite directions. Make sure that when you choose a romantic partner, the way you see life and love matches their outlook. If not, a chaotic and frustrating road could wait for you ahead.

2. You seem to fall on the same side of many controversies

There are numerous controversies that ensue our headlines each and every day. Sometimes the answers are clear, the culprits known, and the stage set to right the wrongs. Other times, dinner table conversations revolve around the latest global mishaps. We tend to ponder over ethical dilemmas faced by other people because it helps us gain perspective of ourselves.

We say, encourage such discussions! You cannot sit around for a circumstance to crop up to observe how your partner would react. If an appropriately timed conversation builds up, seize the chance to find out. Ask them about their methods of handling crisis situations and share your own. If ethically and logically, your opinions are similar or identical, it shows signs of intellectual compatibility. It is important to note that one must be honest and genuine during such debates to avoid misinterpretation of oneself.

3. Your lifestyles complement each other’s

It is one thing to joke about having different approaches to life – it is another to be in a long-term relationship with zero compatibility on that front. As long as you both have similar lifestyles or ones that complement each other, life remains easier. Imagine these scenarios:

• You’re with a person who wakes up at 5 AM while you get comfortable in your bed and ready to sleep by three in the morning. While it sounds trivial, how long would you go before this disparity starts getting the better of your relationship?
• If you have found someone who gets the importance of exercise or planned vacations as much as you do, voila! You have hit the jackpot
• If you enjoy home-cooked food and your partner does too, you would avoid a lot of constant bickering
• If both of you have a strong stand when it comes to late-night parties and early-morning meetings, intellectual compatibility will help your relationship have a smooth sail
• According to a study, there’s a high correlation between the intellectual compatibility and the sexual arousal felt by the partners in a relationship too

4. Even when you argue, you find your partner logical

Okay, no one likes to admit that they are wrong. Especially when you are fighting with your partner, you would rather die than lose. We get it. But there is more to these fights than just being right. Even when you are giving it your all to prove that your point makes more sense, do you still find logic in your partner’s argument? Does a piece of you doubt yourself and want to understand what they mean?

If the answer is yes, you are exhibiting signs of intellectual compatibility even when you are at each other’s throats. Disagreements are bound to happen – no two people are perfectly compatible. It gets troublesome when there is no or an absolute lack of logic that you begin to see in your partner’s side of things.

Related Reading: 5 Reasons Why Intimacy Among Couples Fades And How You Can Prevent It

5. A lot of communication is non-verbal

It is healthy to communicate with fewer words. It is not a secret that excess communication leads to miscommunication. If you and your partner indulge in unnecessary dialogues that can very well be avoided, it would lead to misinterpretations sooner or later.

Therefore, the best thing to do is to let some communication be non-verbal. By this, we mean that you should let your partner figure out some things on their own. And if the hints your drop or the signs you send their way are enough for them to realize that something is amiss, you are intellectually compatible.

For example: 

• If either one of you is uncomfortable in a social setting, your body language must be enough for your partner to take the hint
• When things are getting heated and either one of you shows the maturity to stop before the other person is overwhelmed, it shows intellectual compatibility 
• When you need them to be with you but cannot say it out loud, sticking around by their own free will is enough to let you know they received your silent message 
• If you learn to pick up each others’ cry for help when you have had a stressful day at work or home, it would ease most of the relationship stress 

6. Expectations from each other do not feel burdensome 

Humans generally tend to expect either too little or more than they should. Amongst a generation that does not always indulge in healthy discussions and communication, if you have found yourself someone who lets you be who you are, they are a keeper. Even a healthy relationship demands sacrifices that are sometimes difficult to accept. You are bound to have to change some of your behavioral traits to suit the relationship better.

While that is natural, having to go out of your way to appease someone’s ego sounds too much. So, if you and your partner lovingly give what you can to the other, and not make them think they are ‘too much’ for needing those things, it could be a sure sign of intellectual compatibility.

7. You have healthy debates that do not result in arguments

Healthy debates do not mean discussions that end with one or both of you agreeing to something. It does not demand that you recede from your personal perspectives to form a collaborative one. It simply means that differences are respected enough for the both of you to co-exist with them.

Life needs a broader perspective for us to survive. Having the same set of beliefs or thoughts on a topic could be endearing for a while but it gets old soon. If you do not challenge yourself with newer takes, monotony does not take long to settle in. So, appreciate the differences. Bask in the glory of what makes the both of you different, and yet keeps you together. 

There are no sets of positives and negatives. Even the Chinese representation of a soulmate represents the yin and yang which talks about the fundamental differences that complete life. If you and your partner have achieved that healthy state of productive debates, your intellectual compatibility cannot be questioned.

8. There is no verbal disrespect from either end

It is one thing to have a fight but it is another to get verbally/physically disrespectful toward the other person or their value systems. Verbal disrespect can mean different things to both of you. However, these are the common signs of disrespect toward your partner: 

• Abusive language when you have locked horns and are in an intense debate 
• Being rude or mean to you when you state your reasons for being upset 
• Cutting you off mid-sentence when they are not interested in what you have to say
• Raising their voice at you when they want something done 
• Being childlike in their accusations when you do something against their wish

Detach or pull away from people and situations that make you feel bad about feeling a certain way. Even if they do not agree with you, they have no right to demean you. Self-esteem includes taking a stand for yourself whenever required. If you feel like your self-respect has taken a blow over some recent arguments that turned nasty, it is time to reconsider your relationship.

Intellectual compatibility in dating is also tested when there exists an implicit understanding of mutual respect in a relationship. It is one of your basic rights to hold with your partner, and is the bare minimum someone can do for you. Mutual respect clearly signifies intellectual compatibility between two people.

Related Reading: 8 Types Of Intimacy In A Relationship

9. You are spiritually compatible with your partner

One of the most underrated yet important signs of intellectual compatibility is the presence of spiritual compatibility. Spirituality does not just include your religious beliefs, although they also come to be a part of it. It entails respect for each other’s faith without imposing your own. 

Spiritual alignment also refers to the way you both wish to lead your life together. If your partner is more materialistic or gets easily distracted by the everyday glitter of life whilst you wish to maintain a certain degree of detachment, life could get tough. However, if both of you see eye to eye on the ultimate goal of life and the path to achieve it, intellectual compatibility comes into being. If the same or similar things are important to both of you, then you’ve got a good match.

How Do You Build Intellectual Compatibility?

How many points did you check off the list? Have you had more than half working in your favor? That’s great! Or did you score low and you’re worried about the future? Relax. Most of the things listed above can be achieved through sheer willpower and intent to strengthen your relationship. Share the above list with your partner and urge them to work on these areas together in the following ways. Remember: Soulmates are not found, they are made.

1. Invest in each other’s interests

There is no better way to cultivate intellectual compatibility than by actively taking an interest in what allows your partner to be mentally stimulated. Even if it doesn’t call to you naturally, allow yourself to get used to it and try to learn new skills to adapt. For example, if your partner enjoys a reading session together, adapt to it by attempting to read two pages every day and you can go ahead from there.

2. Gather knowledge together

Discussions of your individual viewpoints can enable harmony in relationships and boost intellectual compatibility. Here are some examples:

• Whether you like to visit heritage sites or museums, make sure you do it together. Do not just visit these places; gather your background information as both of you sit together and discuss
• Engage in a conversation about something of value that peaks mutual interest
• Even if it is just listening to the latest trends around the world on the news, be diligent with it for 30 minutes every day

3. Invite your partner to share their views

Even if your partner is hesitant to convey what they think generally, invite them or give them the stage to open up. It might take some patience and words of encouragement but this would allow you to look more closely into their belief systems. Sharing your views would not just allow you to know them, it would increase mutual trust and transparency in the relationship.

Related Reading: Emotional Intelligence In Relationships: Make Love Last Forever

4. Listen to know, not to show

When your partner does decide to open up, learn to listen and talk only when they give you the green signal. People generally need someone to listen to them without judgements or bias. Once they find a suitable ecosystem, they reveal their true thoughts, thus encouraging more open communication.

You can devise unique methods to communicate with each other to beat the monotony. You can engage in quizzing each other over weekends, with the intent of knowing the other better. Allow yourself to be intellectually challenged by your partner.

5. Imbibe the values important to each other

One of the major signs of intellectual compatibility is when you and your partner share the same value systems. This might arise out of a similar or same experiences of oppression, social identities, religious practices, upbringing, or financial backgrounds. However, even if these are different for the two of you, attempt to accept different values than yours. 

Clearly, intellectual compatibility is a must-have for any relationship to sustain. It might not be at the forefront of your priorities but without it, relationships tend to fall apart. In difficult times and messy situations, it is this compatibility that would allow you to push forward and understand each other better. Whether it is vibing to the same genre of music or having the same views about the cosmos or your religion, you and your partner get a lot to discuss. During tough calls and emotional dilemmas, intellectual compatibility guides you through.

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