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Newsjock

(11,733 posts)
Wed Sep 26, 2012, 08:02 PM Sep 2012

New research shows that people with lower IQs are more likely to be unhappy

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

A study published in the journal of Psychological Medicine revealed that people in the lowest IQ range of 77-99 reported the lowest levels of happiness compared to those in the highest IQ range of 120 to 129.

Researchers from the University College London analyzed the data of 6,870 participants in a 2007 survey that measured IQ and asked participants to rate their happiness on a three-point scale of “very happy,” “fairly happy” and “not too happy.”

The highest proportion of those who said they were “not too happy” was in the lowest IQ range, BBC reported. The highest proportion of those who said they were “very happy,” 43 percent, was in the highest IQ range.

The researchers found that a lower IQ was linked with lower income and poor mental health, both of which contributed to the lower levels of happiness. Because of the results, the study’s researchers are pushing for interventions for young children that could help not only increase IQ but also the other factors that ultimately lead to higher levels of happiness.

Read more: http://blog.sfgate.com/chronrx/2012/09/26/new-research-shows-that-people-with-lower-iqs-are-more-likely-to-be-unhappy/

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New research shows that people with lower IQs are more likely to be unhappy (Original Post) Newsjock Sep 2012 OP
That makes me sad DJ13 Sep 2012 #1
:) pinboy3niner Sep 2012 #4
Thanks, that helped DJ13 Sep 2012 #8
That explains why I'm always so damn happy!! ;-) nt Speck Tater Sep 2012 #2
I would think the higher IQ people would be the saddest...because they are smart enough antigop Sep 2012 #3
Thats what I've always thought Pbs1914 Sep 2012 #7
Maybe they're just sad about getting their IQ test results. Bucky Sep 2012 #5
Once it pops over 125 you are likely to be not only depressed but alcoholic and also LittlestStar Sep 2012 #6
funny you should mention that..some of the brightest people I have ever known struggle w/ depression antigop Sep 2012 #9
Interesting. Could be for a lot of reasons. Honeycombe8 Sep 2012 #10

antigop

(12,778 posts)
3. I would think the higher IQ people would be the saddest...because they are smart enough
Wed Sep 26, 2012, 08:14 PM
Sep 2012

to figure out how screwed up everything is....

Pbs1914

(147 posts)
7. Thats what I've always thought
Wed Sep 26, 2012, 08:24 PM
Sep 2012

and the research I've always read seems to show an inverse relationship between high IQ and melancholy. The thin line genius/insanity thing. I would also think, without being overtly judgemental, that a quote on quote "lower IQ person" would also live in a world/perspective that follows the ignorance is bliss paradigm. At least in my experiences the smartest people I've known have almost always struggled with depression.

LittlestStar

(224 posts)
6. Once it pops over 125 you are likely to be not only depressed but alcoholic and also
Wed Sep 26, 2012, 08:21 PM
Sep 2012

quite possibly into smoking pot or doing other naughty things. So I guess its best to be in the middle.

antigop

(12,778 posts)
9. funny you should mention that..some of the brightest people I have ever known struggle w/ depression
Wed Sep 26, 2012, 09:20 PM
Sep 2012

Not into alcohol or drugs though.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
10. Interesting. Could be for a lot of reasons.
Wed Sep 26, 2012, 09:26 PM
Sep 2012

My first thought was that people with lower IQs probably make less money. Money doesn't make you happy, but a lack of it sure affects happiness.

It could also be the ability to entertain yourself on a higher level. People with higher IQs may read more, do more puzzles, participate in tasks requiring more brain activity, which would stimulate the brain, take your mind off your problems, and the like.

So maybe it's not the IQ itself that matters, but what the IQ means and how it affects other aspects of your life. Just a thought.

Why would the high level be 120-129? I thought a lot of people had higher IQs than that.

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