The smarter you are, the happier you will be. According to science, people with high IQ have a much higher chance at being content with their lives.
People with high IQ are one step closer to happiness than those who have lower scores on the IQ scale, claims new research from the UK. Researchers at the Imperial College of London, led by Greek researcher Dr. Angela Hasiotis, analyzed data collected from 6,870 people and published the findings in the Psychological Medicine journal.
With this being said, can you improve your IQ level? Hmmm, maybe, let’s move on.
Tests that prove the IQ is directly related to happiness
Tests were conducted to prove that being smart meant being happier. First, subjects which fit the criteria were gathered for tests. Participants were over 16 years old and answered questionnaires regarding their education, health, income and social life.
The researchers “measured” their level of happiness by a three-step scale and evaluated their verbal IQ, or the ability to use language to develop logical arguments aimed at analyzing information and problem-solving.
The researchers found that those with lower scores on the verbal IQ scale (70-89) not only were more likely to be less happy than those who had a higher IQ but also more subject to mental disorders and suicide. Those with an IQ of between 120-130, exhibit a happier demeanor and often, even when they do experience mental health conditions, are able to adapt to these conditions much better.
Specifically, the scientists observed that the highest proportion of “very happy” people (43%) was among those whose IQ was between 120 and 129, while the highest percentage of “not very happy” people (12%) was among those whose IQ was between 70 and 89. According to the researchers, the lower IQ is also correlated with lower income and poorer health quality.
What this means
Even though IQ levels seem to represent a stable gift from birth, this might not be entirely true. Although many intelligent aspects are passed down by ancestors or written in the genes by chance, the IQ levels are only relatively stable. Most certainly, IQ levels can be improved over time.
On the other hand, IQ levels, tested in childhood and then tested again in old age, usually display an even advancement which matches individual scores. For example, one child may score above average while another score a little below average, and still the one below average will not surpass the score of any people with high IQ.
So, this means the intelligence quotient may improve but usually at the same learning rate as seen during childhood and thereafter. It seems our ability to learn plays a huge role in our IQ scores, and not just the education available to us.
Can we improve?
Yes, there are ways to improve your IQ, but by how much I’m not so sure. There are ways to improve the ability to learn, however, and this could indeed make marked improvements in your numbers.
Improving your learning abilities can be done through better organizational skills, such as cleaner workspaces, being on time, reading, and asking more questions. These things can open more avenues of learning and possibly improve your scores.
It never hurts to try, especially if being smarter means being happier!
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