Analysing your IQ
Please Wait
Definitive breakdowns of the biggest debates in psychology. We analyze the differences, the science, and the verdict.
IQ measures cognitive problem-solving; EQ measures emotion perception, regulation, and social navigation. They interact, but they are not the same skill.
Introversion is about stimulation and energy; shyness is about social threat and anxiety. You can be introverted without being shy, and shy without being introverted.
Stress is a response to demand; anxiety is a response to perceived threat—often future-oriented and sometimes detached from reality.
Burnout is usually context-linked to chronic overload; depression is a broader mood disorder that can persist across contexts and includes loss of interest and low mood.
Motivation is a fluctuating state; discipline is a system that produces action even when motivation is low.
Therapy is health-focused and often addresses distress, patterns, and healing. Coaching is performance-focused and often targets goals, accountability, and skill-building.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting attention regulation and executive function. Laziness is a value judgment about effort. The two are often confused, with devastating consequences.
Perfectionism is driven by fear of failure and self-worth tied to output. High standards are driven by values and mastery motivation. The outcome may look similar, but the inner experience is radically different.
Empathy is feeling with someone—entering their emotional state. Sympathy is feeling for someone—observing their state with care but remaining separate.
Self-esteem is feeling good about yourself based on evaluation. Self-compassion is treating yourself kindly regardless of evaluation. One depends on success; the other is unconditional.
Introversion and extraversion describe where you get energy. Introverts recharge through solitude; extroverts recharge through social interaction. Both are normal variants.
Confidence is earned self-trust based on evidence. Arrogance is inflated self-importance that dismisses others. The behaviors look similar on the surface but differ in openness to feedback.
Sadness is a normal emotional response to loss or disappointment. Depression is a clinical condition involving persistent low mood, anhedonia, and functional impairment.
Intelligence is the capacity to learn, reason, and solve problems. Wisdom is the application of knowledge and experience to make good judgments in complex, real-world situations.
Goals define destinations; habits define the system for getting there. Goals require willpower; habits run on autopilot. Success often depends more on systems than aspirations.
Assertiveness is advocating for yourself while respecting others. Aggression is advocating for yourself at others' expense. The line is often about tone, intent, and boundary-respecting.