The given research paper explores the connection between intelligence and one’s emotional life (happiness, stress resistance, inclination toward depression). Firstly, the author studies the relationship between GI (general intelligence), EI (emotional intelligence) and one’s capacity to effectively react to stress. Secondly, the paper analyzes research findings which demonstrate a positive correlation between IQ and happiness.
Furthermore, a study which does not support this claim (on an individual level) is presented. As a matter of fact, literature analysis shows that when it comes to coping with stress, IQ does not have any significant impact on this process. At the same time, greater EI seems to have a positive impact on managing stress. However, it should be researched in greater detail whether this connection remains if stress reaches extreme levels (for instance, PTSD).
The following essay will research whether an individual’s intelligence influences his or her emotional states. This paper sets out to answer the question whether an individual’s intelligence level has any correlation with specific emotional behaviors, including those that might relate to depression, anxiety, joy, and happiness. More specifically, the author aims to determine whether people with higher general intelligence are more likely to be happy. Or, on the contrary, are people with higher IQ levels more prone to fall into depression, while reporting lower contentment and happiness. To verify all of the abovementioned hypotheses, five academic research articles were analyzed and their findings brought together.
To begin with, intelligence is an interesting and controversial topic which, according to some scholars, is loosely defined. Psychological theories identify intelligence categories such as emotional intelligence and cognitive capabilities. At the same time, when mentioning the notion of intelligence (or general intelligence) in this paper, the author refers to the general IQ (intelligence quotient) measure. When it comes to intelligence, it “can be viewed as representing, primarily, the capacity to carry out abstract thought, as well as the general ability to learn and adapt to the environment” (Mayer et al., 2004, p. 198). On most part, IQ and Wechsler scales are the most popular tools for measuring general intelligence. For instance, the study of EI (emotional intelligence) emerged as an attempt to measure an individual’s reaction “to relationships and their vicissitudes” (Mayer et al., 2004, p. 199). However, for this research paper, the author would like to rely on the concept of general intelligence and how it is interrelated with emotional wellbeing (emotional states and behaviors).
A study carried out by Singh and Sharma (2012) explored how different levels of GI (general intelligence) and EI impact one’s capability to cope with stress (acute stress reactivity). Research demonstrated that higher EI scores were predictive of effective strategies for coping with stressful situations (anxiety). At the same time, GI scores showed no significant correlation with stress. Furthermore, other studies show that in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder cognitive intelligence is severely reduced due “to a decrease in hippocampal volume” which often results in memory distortion (Singh & Sharma, 2012, p. 111). Henceforth, it may be that EI is a better predictor for one’s capacity to cope with stress, not GI.
Another scholarly article provides evidence that EI is negatively correlated to IQ (Furnham, 2016). More specifically, “people of higher IQ had lower EI” (Furnham, 2016, p. 195). It is further hypothesized that individuals with higher IQ tend to rely on their cognitive abilities (intelligence) to resolve problems in everyday life (or at work). At the same time, people with high EI tend to rely on others’ assistance more often.
Based on the abovementioned findings, one could presume that people with higher IQ are actually more predisposed to have longer bouts of depression. Given that high stress levels and traumatization (more specifically, PTSD symptoms) cause physiological alterations in the brain that shrink one’s intellectual capacity, it could be concluded that IQ does not account for shorter periods of depression (if it does come around). Furthermore, it is a wide known fact that one of the “pills” for fighting depression is socializing instead of staying in one’s shell (the latter, in fact, fortifies depressive symptoms). Given that individuals with high IQ levels tend to rely on their cognitive capacity for problem-solving, it would be logical to assume that they rely much less on others. As a result, when high-stress situations occur and the brain displays less cognitive potential, IQ can no longer be an effective method for going through stress. Therefore, when it comes to predicting one’s capacity to cope with depression or PTSD (since no one is protected from trauma), high IQ might prove ineffective, since on a physiological level cognitive functions are greatly reduced in these psychological states.
Next, it is important to verify whether IQ is in any way related to happiness. A research by Ali et al. (2013) “suggests that IQ is a determinant of happiness, mediated by socio-economic and clinical variables” (p. 1310). People with a lower IQ (70 to 89 points) were less happy and more socially disadvantaged than individuals with greater IQ. As a matter of fact, the aforementioned group is considered to have “borderline intellectual impairment” and is more frequently diagnosed with mental disorders. Consequently, this group is less likely to succeed social activities/spheres that contribute to an individual’s feeling of happiness (family, career, hobbies, personal development, extracurricular activities, etc.). At the same time, literature explains that psychological interventions may help to increase one’s feeling of happiness (regardless of his/her IQ level). Hence, psychotherapy might be the answer for increasing happiness levels regardless of one’s IQ level.
Furthermore, a study carried out by Veenhoven and Choi (2012) explains that people with greater IQ are not happier than people with lower IQ. Yet, overall, greater happiness in the population is positively correlated with higher IQ (on a national level). This correlation is especially strong for poorer countries than it is for rich nations.
Based on the abovementioned information and findings, it is possible to conclude that higher IQ is indicative of greater happiness. However, when it comes to facing extremely stressful situations, general intelligence could prove itself useless, contrary to emotional intelligence. Given that IQ measures one’s cognitive potency, its instruments could be found ineffective if one is faced with PTSD or another mental disorder (caused by traumatizing events). Aside from this, in extremely stressful situations, people with higher IQ might have a tendency to be depressed for longer periods. The logic behind this is that individuals with more profound GI tend to rely greatly on their intellectual capacity, yet, when depression hits, this capacity is reduced on a physical level. Henceforth, in situations of increased stress EI is the more effective predictor of one’s ability to overcome stress. Yet, it is still to be verified whether individuals with greater EI cope better with depression and severe stressors.
