New Study Says Smart People Require More Time Alone
Written by Cristo Rogers, Posted on , in Section Must Reads
When it comes to living happily, those with higher intellect require more 'me time' than the average person, says recent study.
The behavioral study, which was conducted by Evolutionary psychologists from Singapore Management University and the London School of Economics and Political Science seems to conclude that people with a higher intellect are sometimes happier when left to themselves. This compelling study was extensively concluded after the researchers studied over 15,000 young adult volunteers.
The researchers found that, while the majority of people felt happier spending time with others, particularly brilliant people were the exception to this rule and actually preferred solitude over hanging out with friends and family.
So, why do genius minds sometimes prefer to be left alone vs. spending quality time with the rest of us? Researchers say, "Probably evolution."
One possible theory suggests that exceptionally smart people are more adaptable to their surroundings. Had they been born in prehistoric times, exceedingly intelligent people would not need to depend on the assistance of others to build a shelter or to obtain food. This could give insight as to why smarter individuals tend to keep to their own, while the rest of us fraternize.
Moreover, the study also found that the highly intelligent subjects experienced increasing symptoms of depression the more they socialized with those who were less intelligent and more sociable than themselves. In other words, spending time with those of inferior intelligence can actually cause a brilliant mind to become depressed. This revelation, to some, sounds as intimidating as it does pretentious.
Fortunately for those who take offense to the notion that some people are literally just too damn smart to co-exist with the rest of us idiots, the "offending"anti-socialites are far too busy chillin' with their profound thoughts and smart-as-hell selves to be 'all in our faces about it.'
So, the next time you see a lonely person sitting by themselves in a park, maybe check to see if they're scribbling complex equations in a notebook labeled, "string-theory studies," or if they're studying the behavioral patterns of birds while taking notes in an encrypted language before you attempt to socialize with the lonesome stranger -- even if acting out of the sheer goodness of your heart. Because if you're not careful, rather than reaching out to a lonely stranger in need of your gracious socializing, you might actually just be an intrusive third-wheel impeding on a genius's "buddy-buddy time."
To read more about this article and alternative theories, please click the link below:
There’s no fighting it – humans are innately social creatures. But while it's widely accepted that socializing makes us happier, this might not be strictly true if you’re highly intelligent.
Evolutionary psychologists from Singapore Management University and the London School of Economics and Political Science found exactly this when they studied more than 15,000 young adults.
