Analysing your IQ
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Theoretical Physicist
Richard Feynman's IQ is estimated at 160+, placing them in the Profoundly Gifted classification.
This historiometric estimate is based on documented accomplishments, complexity of work, and contemporary accounts from the 20th Century era.
Methodology Note: This is a psychobiographical analysis based on documented behavior, contemporary accounts, and historiometric research methods. IQ estimates for historical figures are approximations derived from complexity of work and documented accomplishments. This is interpretation, not clinical diagnosis.
Richard Feynman left behind enough documented behavior to attempt a psychological reconstruction. What follows is evidence-based interpretation, not clinical diagnosis.
Historiometric estimate
Playful genius who made complex physics accessible. High openness, high extraversion. Valued understanding over credentials. Famously skeptical of authority.
The dominant archetype here is The Creator. This archetype shapes decision patterns: what feels natural, what creates friction, and what blind spots tend to emerge.
Estimated IQ is ~160+. This is a rough historiometric estimate based on documented accomplishments and contemporary accounts—not a literal measurement.
Richard displayed notable playful curiosity, a trait that shaped their approach to challenges and opportunities.
Richard displayed notable teaching ability, a trait that shaped their approach to challenges and opportunities.
Richard displayed notable intellectual independence, a trait that shaped their approach to challenges and opportunities.
The 20th Century created specific selection pressures that rewarded Richard's profile. In a different era, the same traits might have produced different outcomes.
Richard's greatest strength (Playful curiosity and Teaching ability) was also their greatest liability when taken to extremes.
The The Creator archetype tends to succeed in environments that reward bold action and long-term vision, but struggles in environments that demand consensus-building.
One pattern worth noting: Richard's output was most productive when external constraints forced focus. Without structure, the same traits that enabled greatness sometimes led to overreach.
If Richard Feynman were alive today, the closest modern parallel might be Andrej Karpathy. The comparison isn't about accomplishment level—it's about operating style: similar strengths, similar blind spots, similar friction patterns.
For a deeper understanding of Richard Feynman's psychology, consider primary biographies that document behavior patterns, decision-making, and personal correspondence.
Historiometric methods used in IQ estimation are based on research by Cox (1926), Simonton (1994), and others who analyze documented accomplishments as proxies for cognitive ability.
Explore psychological profiles of contemporary figures analyzed with similar methods.
Browse All ProfilesTraits commonly observed in individuals with Richard Feynman's cognitive profile:
Richard Feynman's estimated IQ is 160+, which places them in the Profoundly Gifted classification. This historiometric estimate is based on documented accomplishments, complexity of work, and contemporary accounts—not a literal IQ test score, as standardized testing didn't exist in their era.
Yes, with an estimated IQ of 160+, Richard qualifies as Profoundly Gifted level intelligence. However, "genius" oversimplifies their profile. Their The Creator archetype, combined with Playful curiosity and Teaching ability, better explains their exceptional output.
Richard fits the The Creator archetype. Key traits include Playful curiosity, Teaching ability, and Intellectual independence. This psychological profile explains both their strengths and documented failure modes.
The closest modern parallel to Richard Feynman is Andrej Karpathy. This comparison is based on operating style, The Creator archetype, and similar trait configuration—not accomplishment level.
Richard's profile teaches that extreme strengths create extreme tradeoffs. Their Playful curiosity and Teaching ability enabled success but also created recurring friction patterns.