Why do people assume that people those who wear glasses are intelligent and smarter?
By Anish Asokan
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
India
February 21, 2025 8:43am CST
A group of new joiners were talking about their experience and in between the conversation, some pointed out they feel few of us people are smarter and intelligent. When probed, the answer – because some of us were wearing glasses!
I understand the media portrayals and the long-standing cultural stereotypes always depicted people wearing glasses to be nerds or highest order or at least intelligent. Add to that most professors, scientist wear glasses -so that adds to the perception. I remember a female college mate mentioning to me that she would not be interested in me unless I remove my glasses as I have a studious appearance (Nope I still wear my glasses). The only reasons we need glasses is because we spend more time .
People need to understand that intelligence is not determined by visions. There are many who are intelligent and do not wear glasses. My take is glasses may shape some impressions about a person, but true intelligence is shown by knowledge, reasoning and experience rather than appearance. What’s your opinion?
10 people like this
12 responses
@MarkPaul (264)
•
21 Feb
Well, of course your take is correct but perhaps you are overlooking the power of first impressions. You see, someone who wears glasses is someone who is assumed (ASSUMED) is using and possibly overusing their eyes to read, to learn, to study. And, that assumption translates to someone who has obtained knowledge, reasoning, and yes even experience. It's a quick and easy assumption that doesn't require any effort by the person making that quick-and-dirty perception. So... that creates an opportunity for those who want to reflect that impression of themselves by making a fashion statement of wearing glasses.
Most people won't take the time to examine if a person is actually intelligent or not. That requires "too much" work. So, society takes a short-cut (and always will) by associating glasses with perceived intelligence.
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
That is an very interesting take on the topic Paul! You are right , people do not actually spend time to know the person rather depend on the short cuts or perceptions to decode him/her.
@DaddyEvil (146403)
• United States
21 Feb
Unfortunately, some stereotypes come about because there is more than a grain of truth to the thinking... It's a fact that people who are more intelligent/smarter are 30% more likely to wear glasses than their less intelligent counterparts. The difference is in our genes.
https://www.labmate-online.com/news/microscopy-and-microtechniques/4/breaking-news/are-people-who-wear-glasses-smarter/46496
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
Well , that's an interesting take to the topic! In a ways there is some truth. I do recollect my school toppers used to wear glasses , atleast a vast majority of them.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (146403)
• United States
24 Feb
@RevivedWarrior Most of the top people in my high school wore glasses or contacts. I've needed glasses for years but only to see long distances.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
@DaddyEvil You are definitely intelligent and wise!
1 person likes this
@rakski (135632)
• Philippines
26 Feb
@RevivedWarrior that is true, people with diabetes especially those who got there eye nerves affected needed those glasses
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
Exactly - It is not nerds , but anyone who needs support to eyes , wears glasses or lenses!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (351454)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Feb
@RevivedWarrior That's so. We think we're not judging or presuming but subconsciously we might be.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
Yes, our appearance can cast a certain perception about us , without we even noticing them!
1 person likes this
@Dreamerby (7913)
• Calcutta, India
24 Feb
Haha! Coming from someone who has been wearing spectacles from the age of 10, people assume I am studious.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
We cannot change perceptions but then you do have good intelligence!
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (16105)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
21 Feb
i didn't want to wear glasses in high school cause i thought i would have been mocked due to being nerd but i wasn't still, i don't like wearing them when i take a walk, i feel more free without them. but, yes, public stereotype is still there. i am glad you didn't submit yourself of taking off your glasses for that girl
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (16105)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
25 Feb
@RevivedWarrior it still is. I watched some movie from the 1990s and person seemed smarter with their eyeglasses, stupid stereotypes. Yes, we should be who we are.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
I wanted to be me and get accepted for what I am. The public stereotype is definitely there!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (188265)
• United States
22 Feb
Of course there are exceptions to every rule,but some research was dine on this at one time and the people who wore glasses did tend to be a bit mire intelligent Don't ask me why.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
Well, in most cases people who use glasses would have overused their eyes for reading or watching. That forms the basis of the perception.
@ptrikha_2 (47734)
• India
21 Feb
This stereotype about glasses is highly misplaced.
I have seen some very cunning but not so studious folks wearing specs.
Now even more girls are wearing specs but notions and bias do not go away easily.
Plus it is not easy talking with people who have such strong bias or notions.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
I definitely agree that talking with such people have never been easy. They have such strong bias!
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
Well, do not be harsh on yourself. You may not be dumb or super intelligent , but you have good intelligence . And we cannot change perception associated with glasses , atleast to most!
@dgobucks226 (36476)
•
22 Feb
As you say, there are certain stereotypes that pertain to people who wear glasses. But it is IQ which makes you smarter not lenses.
For proof just listen and watch the stupid questions the many glasses wearing reporters and media types ask. 
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
I definitely agree that IQ is what make people smarter .Definitely not the glasses or lenses.
1 person likes this
@pitsipeahie (5170)
•
22 Feb
Glasses don’t boost IQ, they just help us see better! But hey, if they make me look smarter, I’ll take it! 
But hey, if they make me look smarter, I’ll take it! 1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
I loved the hilarious take on the topic .It is all about perceptions!
1 person likes this
@porwest (99079)
• United States
21 Feb
Probably for the same reason if you put an Aussie or a Brit in front of a camera to speak about something for sale on an informercial, it sells more. People associate a sort of "sophistication" with it. It's false, of course. But when it comes to perceptions, sometimes it is all that matters.
1 person likes this
@porwest (99079)
• United States
24 Feb
@RevivedWarrior MOST perceptions are often...false.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3730)
• India
24 Feb
Well, perceptions are at times hard to change , even if they tend to be false
1 person likes this
