Highly intelligent people are happier alone

In their recent Study the researchers, Norman P. Li and Satoshi Kanazawa introduce the “Savannah theory of happiness” according to which we react to circumstances as our ancestors would, having evolved psychologically based on our ancestors’ needs in the days when humankind lived on the savannah.

The study is based on the analysis of 15,197 survey responses by people aged 18-28, who participated in a study by the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) in 2001-2002, which measures life satisfaction, intelligence and health. The researchers looked for a correlation between where the participant lives — in a rural or urban area — and his or her life satisfaction. Their aim was to assess how population density and friendships affect happiness.
The results show that:
• the more social a person is with their close friends, the greater they said their happiness was.
• people in general were less happy in areas of greater population density.
• the negative effect of the presence of lots of people is more pronounced among people of average intelligence
• the more social a person is with their close friends, the greater they said their happiness was.

But here is the interesting part.

When in comes to intelligent people these correlations were diminished or even reversed were analysed. In other words – spending time with their friends, makes smart people less happy compared to the times when they are alone.
One possible explanation could be that for our ancestors social contact with other humans was crucial for their survival. However, nowadays, being highly intelligent is often related with the individual’s way to solve challenges without the need to ask someone else for help. Therefore such person’s need to form and keep friendships is diminished.

Although this study is simply showing a correlation, would you agree with it? I would like to hear what are your thoughts on this subject.

Pictures: Pexels

Source:
How intelligence, population density, and friendship affect modern happiness