Sarah watched her coworker dismiss a client’s feedback with a wave of his hand. “People don’t know what they want,” he said, turning back to his computer. The client had spent twenty minutes explaining how a small design change could solve a major problem, but those five words ended the conversation.
Later that week, their competitor launched the exact feature the client had suggested. It became their biggest selling point of the year.
Sarah realized she’d been hearing phrases like this everywhere – at work, family dinners, even casual conversations with friends. Little verbal shortcuts that seemed to shut down thinking before it could even start.
What These Conversational Red Flags Really Mean
Psychologists who study cognitive flexibility have identified specific low IQ phrases that reveal how someone processes information. These aren’t measures of education or book smarts – they’re windows into mental habits that limit growth and understanding.
“When people rely heavily on these phrases, they’re essentially avoiding the mental effort required for deeper thinking,” explains Dr. Jennifer Martinez, a cognitive psychologist at Stanford University. “It’s like taking the intellectual equivalent of a shortcut that leads nowhere.”
The phrases work as conversation stoppers. They create the illusion of wisdom while actually preventing any real analysis from happening. Once you recognize them, you’ll start noticing how they pop up whenever someone feels challenged or uncertain.
Research in cognitive psychology shows that people with higher intellectual flexibility tend to ask questions, acknowledge complexity, and remain open to changing their minds. Those who default to rigid thinking patterns often use these specific phrases as mental shields.
The Seven Phrases That Signal Closed Thinking
These low IQ phrases appear in everyday conversations, but their psychological impact runs deeper than most people realize. Here’s what researchers have identified:
| Phrase | What It Really Signals | Better Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| “That’s just common sense” | Refuses to examine assumptions | “Let me think about why that might be” |
| “It’s always been like that” | Resists change and analysis | “What if we tried a different approach?” |
| “Smart people overthink everything” | Dismisses careful consideration | “I need more information before deciding” |
| “People don’t know what they want” | Avoids listening to feedback | “Tell me more about that perspective” |
| “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” | Prevents improvement and innovation | “How could we make this even better?” |
| “That’s just how people are” | Refuses to consider individual differences | “What factors might influence that behavior?” |
| “I don’t need to research that” | Closed to new information | “Where can I learn more about this?” |
Each phrase serves the same psychological function: it ends inquiry before it can begin. Dr. Robert Chen, who studies decision-making processes, notes that “these phrases act like mental stop signs. They prevent the kind of questioning and exploration that leads to better understanding.”
The pattern becomes clear when you watch how these phrases get used. Someone presents a new idea, shares conflicting information, or asks a challenging question. Instead of engaging, the person deploys one of these conversation-ending phrases.
- They shut down curiosity instead of encouraging it
- They prioritize being right over being accurate
- They avoid the discomfort of admitting uncertainty
- They prevent learning from occurring
Why Smart People Avoid These Mental Traps
The difference isn’t about vocabulary or education level. It’s about intellectual humility – the willingness to admit you might be wrong, incomplete, or missing something important.
Watch how intellectually curious people handle the same situations. When someone challenges their thinking, they lean in rather than shut down. They ask follow-up questions. They acknowledge when something is more complex than they initially thought.
“High-functioning individuals tend to use phrases that keep conversations open,” explains Dr. Lisa Park, a researcher in cognitive science. “They say things like ‘I hadn’t considered that angle’ or ‘What evidence supports that view?’ instead of conversation stoppers.”
Consider two responses to the same challenging question:
Response A: “That’s just common sense. Everyone knows that.”
Response B: “That’s interesting. What makes you think that might be the case?”
The first response ends exploration. The second begins it. One reveals a closed mind; the other shows intellectual flexibility in action.
People who consistently choose Response B tend to:
- Learn faster from mistakes and feedback
- Adapt better to changing circumstances
- Build stronger relationships through genuine listening
- Make better decisions by considering multiple perspectives
The Hidden Cost of Conversational Shortcuts
These low IQ phrases don’t just reveal thinking patterns – they actually reinforce them. Every time someone uses “that’s just how people are” to end a discussion, they practice intellectual rigidity.
The workplace impact is particularly striking. Teams led by people who frequently use these phrases show lower innovation rates, higher employee turnover, and more missed opportunities. The phrases create an environment where questioning is discouraged and learning stops.
In personal relationships, these conversational patterns can be equally damaging. Partners who consistently shut down discussions with “it’s always been like that” create distance and resentment over time.
“The phrases become habit-forming,” warns Dr. Martinez. “People start reaching for them automatically whenever they feel intellectually challenged or uncertain. It becomes their default response to complexity.”
But recognizing these patterns offers hope. Once you become aware of these conversational red flags – both in others and yourself – you can start choosing different responses. You can ask questions instead of making pronouncements. You can explore possibilities instead of shutting them down.
The goal isn’t to judge people who use these phrases, but to understand what they reveal about thinking patterns. We all default to mental shortcuts sometimes. The difference lies in recognizing when we’re doing it and choosing a more open approach.
Next time you hear one of these seven phrases, notice what happens to the conversation. Does it spark deeper discussion or end it? Does it invite curiosity or shut it down? The answer will tell you everything you need to know about the mind behind the words.
FAQs
Are these phrases always a sign of low intelligence?
Not necessarily – smart people sometimes use them when stressed or defensive, but frequent use often indicates rigid thinking patterns.
Can someone change these conversational habits?
Yes, with awareness and practice, people can learn to replace these phrases with more open-ended responses that encourage discussion.
What should I do if I catch myself using these phrases?
Pause and ask yourself what you’re really trying to communicate, then try rephrasing with a question or acknowledgment of complexity.
How can I respond when someone uses these phrases with me?
Try gentle follow-up questions like “What makes you think that?” or “Have you considered other possibilities?” to encourage deeper thinking.
Do cultural differences affect how these phrases are interpreted?
While specific phrases vary across cultures, the underlying pattern of shutting down inquiry versus encouraging it appears consistently across different societies.
Is there a difference between using these phrases occasionally versus habitually?
Absolutely – everyone uses mental shortcuts sometimes, but habitual use suggests a consistent pattern of avoiding intellectual challenge and growth.
