Neuroscience and psychology
People who are more open to experience (open to ideas, creativity, artistic taste, etc.) have a higher IQ
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Ainhoa Pérez
Alumni
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MPH, MSc.
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A recent study investigated the relationship between personality traits, specifically openness to experience, and cognitive ability in adults born in 1936. Participants were recruited between 2000 and 2001 with the aim of exploring the hypothesis that levels of activity mediate the relationship between openness to experience and cognitive performance.
Openness to experience is defined as a heightened awareness of one's own emotions, a preference for novelty, intellectual curiosity, and an inclination toward non-traditional values that transcend one's usual comfort zone. This personality trait has been associated with a greater ability to adapt and thrive in changing and challenging environments.
The study results showed that greater openness to experience predicts better performance on three of the four cognitive ability tests used. Specifically, significant improvements were observed in measures of reading, inductive reasoning, and verbal memory performance. These tests were selected for their ability to assess different dimensions of cognition, providing a comprehensive view of the participants' cognitive functioning.
Gender differences were found in levels of openness to experience. Women exhibited higher levels of openness compared to men when this trait was differentiated from intellect. This finding suggests variability in how genders may experience and express their openness to new experiences and values.
In addition, the study revealed that high scores on neuroticism were associated with poorer overall performance on reading and inductive reasoning tests. Neuroticism, characterized by a tendency to experience negative emotions and stress, may interfere with cognitive ability and performance on intellectual tasks.
In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of openness to experience as a significant predictor of cognitive performance in older adults. These findings highlight the need to foster positive personality traits and manage neuroticism to promote healthy cognitive aging.
Openness to experience is defined as a heightened awareness of one's own emotions, a preference for novelty, intellectual curiosity, and an inclination toward non-traditional values that transcend one's usual comfort zone. This personality trait has been associated with a greater ability to adapt and thrive in changing and challenging environments.
The study results showed that greater openness to experience predicts better performance on three of the four cognitive ability tests used. Specifically, significant improvements were observed in measures of reading, inductive reasoning, and verbal memory performance. These tests were selected for their ability to assess different dimensions of cognition, providing a comprehensive view of the participants' cognitive functioning.
Gender differences were found in levels of openness to experience. Women exhibited higher levels of openness compared to men when this trait was differentiated from intellect. This finding suggests variability in how genders may experience and express their openness to new experiences and values.
In addition, the study revealed that high scores on neuroticism were associated with poorer overall performance on reading and inductive reasoning tests. Neuroticism, characterized by a tendency to experience negative emotions and stress, may interfere with cognitive ability and performance on intellectual tasks.
In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of openness to experience as a significant predictor of cognitive performance in older adults. These findings highlight the need to foster positive personality traits and manage neuroticism to promote healthy cognitive aging.
References:
Hogan MJ, Staff RT, Bunting BP, Deary IJ, Whalley LJ. Openness to experience and activity engagement facilitate the maintenance of verbal ability in older adults. Psychol Aging. 2012 Dec;27(4):849-54. doi: 10.1037/a0029066. Epub 2012 Jun 18. PMID: 22708538.
* The news published on studies do not represent an official position of ICNS, nor a clinical recommendation.
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