Alternet and PsyPost report on a new study which revealing that average-intelligence men have a more conservative mentality, while gifted men and women tend to be more varied.
A long-term study has indicated that men identified as gifted in childhood may hold less conservative political views in adulthood compared to men of average intelligence. The research, however, found no significant difference in political orientation between gifted and non-gifted women.
The investigation, titled "Exploring exceptional minds: Political orientations of gifted adults," was conducted by researchers Maximilian Krolo, Jörn R. Sparfeldt, and Detlef H. Rost. It aimed to identify distinct political patterns by comparing gifted adults with a control group.
The project began decades ago with intelligence testing of over 7,000 third-grade students. Researchers identified a gifted cohort with IQs of 130 or higher, alongside a control group. The students' IQs were confirmed six years later to ensure accuracy. Roughly 35 years after the initial identification, the now-adult participants were surveyed about their political beliefs.
The results revealed a clear divergence among male participants. According to a report by PsyPost, non-gifted men scored higher on measures of conservatism than gifted men, showing a greater tendency to endorse traditional values and a strict social order. Gifted men were less likely to hold these views.
This difference was not observed among female participants. Both gifted and non-gifted women displayed similar, and comparatively lower, levels of conservatism.
The research team interpreted these findings through the concept of cognitive flexibility. They theorise that non-gifted men might depend more on established, traditional viewpoints when grappling with complex social issues, potentially leading to higher conservatism scores. Conversely, gifted men may possess greater cognitive flexibility, allowing them to process diverse perspectives more easily and making them less inclined to adhere to rigid traditional norms.
Overall, the study notes that gifted adults are as politically diverse and moderate as the general population. The "one notable exception" of non-gifted men's leaning towards conservatism, however, is highlighted as an area warranting further study.
The researchers acknowledge a limitation of their work: it relied on self-reported beliefs from surveys. While honest reporting is assumed, they note it is possible for respondents to describe themselves differently from how they might act in practice.
