Catalyzing Happiness - Is it Possible to be Smart AND Happy? (2024)

FAQs

Catalyzing Happiness - Is it Possible to be Smart AND Happy? ›

While many people would agree with William Feather's statement, this is not a true statement, according to a 2012 study published in Psychological Medicine.

While they might have high standards and big picture concerns, research shows that people with high IQs are actually more likely to be happy; data from the research showed that people with the highest IQs were much happier than those with the lowest IQs.

Happiness is significantly associated with IQ. Those in the lowest IQ range (70–99) reported the lowest levels of happiness compared with the highest IQ group (120–129).

“Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know,” an unnamed character casually remarks in Ernest Hemingway's novel The Garden of Eden. You might say that this is a corollary of the much more famous “Ignorance is bliss.”

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, our study reveals an important factor that explains why intelligence does not necessarily lead to greater happiness. Individuals with higher cognitive ability tend to underestimate their socioeconomic status, which may hinder their improvement in happiness.

Results: Happiness is significantly associated with IQ. Those in the lowest IQ range (70-99) reported the lowest levels of happiness compared with the highest IQ group (120-129).

On rare occasions you meet people who are both intelligent and smart. They run laps around everyone. I'd define intelligence vs. smart like this: Intelligent people understand technical details, smart people understand emotional details.

It's certainly the case that intelligence can increase your risk of depressive factors. Mensa's survey results could indicate that smart people are more often depressed, at least by their own members' data. But there's no explanation — none proven, at least — as to why that correlation exists.

An average IQ score is between 85 and 115. 68% of IQ scores fall within one standard deviation of the mean. That means that the majority of people have an IQ score between 85 and 115.

Happiness is a positive emotion, a state of mind, an attitude to be developed. Whether we feel happy or unhappy, the choice is ours. It's said where attention goes, energy flows.

What is the rarest intelligence? ›

Musical Intelligence

Musical Intelligence is a rare kind of intelligence. People with this profile have the ability to listen to sound and music and identify different patterns and notes with ease. This intelligence group is usually known as having the “absolute pitch“.

However, intelligence has drawbacks too. For example, studies have found that higher IQ is associated with more and earlier drug use. Studies have also found that higher IQ is associated with more mental illness, including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Happiness is significantly associated with a higher IQ. Those in the lowest IQ range [70–99] reported the lowest levels of happiness compared with the highest IQ group. The study of 6,870 people showed low intelligence was often linked with lower income and poor mental health, which contributed to unhappiness.

People with higher IQs often have an increased sense of awareness, deeper levels of empathy, or a fear of failure — all may result in more worry and stress. But anxiety isn't always an obstacle, and it can offer many benefits.

Highly Intelligent People Often Feel They Don't Fit In

When you say what is really on your mind, even to you, what you say is purely logical and well-intentioned, some people may perceive it as hurtful or offensive.

Takeaway. The secret to happiness may not be a secret anymore. By cultivating healthy relationships, practicing self-care and mindfulness, pursuing your passions and interests, and cultivating a growth mindset, you may find that you experience more happiness than ever before.

For example, take the seemingly inverse relationship between intelligence and happiness: Research shows levels of happiness are lowest in the lowest IQ groups and highest in the highest IQ groups.

Improving a person's problem-solving ability: Positive-minded individuals believe they “can” and want to achieve their goals. Building physical, intellectual and social resources: This allows people to learn better because they seek other positive-minded people.

Emotional intelligence can be linked to higher overall intelligence (IQ). This means that having high emotional intelligence may help you do better in school or on a job interview. In addition, emotional intelligence may be more important than IQ when it comes to maintaining positive relationships!