Intelligence and longevity have long been linked in research and popular belief. The idea that more intelligent people tend to live longer than less intelligent people is an intriguing one that raises many questions. In this article, we will explore the evidence around this idea and try to determine if smarter people really do have longer lifespans.
What is intelligence?
Before examining the connection between intelligence and longevity, it is important to define what we mean by “intelligence.” Intelligence is a complex concept that encompasses many different cognitive abilities. Some key components of intelligence include:
- Logical reasoning ability
- Spatial awareness and visualization skills
- Memory and recall capacity
- Verbal comprehension and expression
- Ability to solve problems and think critically
When psychologists and researchers look at intelligence, they often focus on IQ testing. IQ (intelligence quotient) tests aim to measure a person’s general cognitive abilities compared to the population average. IQ tests evaluate skills like working memory, processing speed, and verbal reasoning. However, critics argue that IQ tests do not capture the full scope of human intelligence.
How is longevity defined?
Like intelligence, longevity is a complex concept with different potential definitions. Some key questions around defining longevity include:
- Is longevity simply reaching an old age like 85 or 90 years old?
- Is having a long life expectancy at birth considered longevity?
- Does longevity mean surviving past the average life expectancy for your demographic group?
- Is longevity better defined by healthspan – years spent in good health?
Researchers do not have a consensus on the best way to define longevity. Different studies use different metrics like life expectancy, survival to a very old age, or healthspan when examining links between longevity and intelligence.
What does research show about links between intelligence and longevity?
A significant amount of research has found correlations between higher intelligence and living longer:
- A study of over 1 million Swedish men found that those with higher IQs lived longer on average. Men with IQs over 125 had the lowest risk of dying over an 18-year follow up period.
- Multiple studies of Terman’s cohort – a group of gifted individuals with IQs over 140 – found their life expectancy was 7-8 years longer compared to average.
- A 2006 meta-analysis found that higher childhood IQ predicted longer lifespan, even when controlling for socioeconomic status.
- A 2009 study showed that children with higher IQs were more likely to live to age 76 than their lower IQ peers.
However, there are some critiques of this research:
- Most studies use narrow definitions of intelligence like IQ scores.
- Findings may not apply equally across gender and race.
- Higher IQ could just reflect better access to education and health care.
- Associations don’t necessarily show causation between intelligence and longevity.
Mechanisms linking intelligence and longevity
Assuming there is an association between intelligence and lifespan, what are some possible explanations for why smarter people may live longer? Here are some potential mechanisms that have been proposed:
- Education and socioeconomic status – More intelligent people tend to get more education, which provides greater access to high quality health care. Many studies try to control for education and SES, however, so this cannot entirely explain the association.
- Occupation – People with higher cognitive abilities tend to have less hazardous jobs with better incomes and benefits, reducing risk factors for disease and early death.
- Health literacy – Smarter people may be better able to understand health information and make choices that promote wellbeing and longevity.
- Brain health – Higher cognitive function may protect the brain and body from neurodegenerative diseases like dementia that can shorten lifespan.
- Behavior and habits – More intelligent individuals are less likely to smoke, abuse alcohol, have accidental injuries, or engage in violence – behaviors linked to increased mortality.
Overall, there are likely multiple factors that could contribute to longevity in more intelligent people, with socioeconomic status, behaviors, and brain health playing major roles.
Are there limitations to the longevity of intelligent people?
While the bulk of evidence indicates higher intelligence is associated with increased lifespan, there may still be some limitations to longevity even for smarter people. A few considerations include:
- Extremely high intelligence is rare, making it harder to study this population. The “normal” range of intelligence may show weaker links to longevity.
- Those with high IQs are not immune from life-shortening diseases like cancer or heart disease – they just may have lower risk on average.
- Very intelligent people are still impacted by accidents, violence, and unpredictable events that can cut lives short.
- At extremely old ages like 100+, intelligence likely matters less than genetic and biological factors in determining longevity.
- Highly intelligent people can still make poor lifestyle choices, have chronic stress, or have limited access to healthcare that reduces lifespan.
In summary, while above average intelligence appears protective, it does not guarantee exceptionally long or healthy lives.
Role of emotional intelligence
When we think about intelligence and longevity, we often focus on cognitive abilities like memory, logic, and problem-solving. However, another important factor may be emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence refers to skills like:
- Self-awareness and regulation of one’s emotions
- Empathy and perspective-taking
- Communication and relationship skills
- Coping with stress and adversity
Research indicates emotional intelligence may also be linked to longevity. For example:
- A 2021 study found higher emotional intelligence was associated with living to 90+ years old in women.
- People with higher emotional intelligence tend to have less stress and healthier cardiovascular function.
- Emotion regulation skills lower risks from conditions like depression and anxiety that can reduce lifespans.
- Social support and strong relationships, fostered by emotional intelligence, improve health and longevity.
Boosting both cognitive and emotional intelligence together may have the greatest benefits for healthy aging and long lives.
Role of genetics and biological factors
While intelligence does appear tied to longevity, genetics and biological factors also play a key role. Some examples of how biology impacts lifespan include:
- Long-lived families likely have protective genes that promote health and survival into old age.
- Telomere length, inflammation levels, and biological aging measures also predict longevity.
- Diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits can override some genetic tendencies for short lives.
- Chance events like accidents or infection have biological impacts on mortality that intelligence cannot fully overcome.
This indicates both nature and nurture are at play – intelligence may influence behaviors and opportunities to maximize biology for longevity.
Population trends in intelligence and longevity
Looking at population data, average intelligence test scores and life expectancy have both increased substantially over the 20th century. This raises questions about the relationship between the two trends.
- Average IQ scores rose nearly 30 points from 1932 to 2002 based on norming of intelligence tests.
- Average US life expectancy was only 58 years in 1930 versus 79 years today.
- Both trends likely stem in part from improved living standards, education, and healthcare.
- It’s unclear if rising IQs have directly driven increased life expectancy, but the two are likely intertwined.
Ongoing research will help untangle if intelligence improvements have contributed to longevity increases across whole populations over time.
Case study examples
Looking at specific examples of high-IQ individuals who enjoyed long lives helps provide illustrations of intelligence and longevity connections:
Albert Einstein
- Nobel prize winning physicist with seminal contributions to science
- Estimated IQ over 160, in the genius range
- Lived to 76 years old, average lifespan for a man in the early 20th century
- May have had innate biology protective against aging, countering health issues like aneurysms
Irving Kahn
- Wall street investor with 80+ year career starting in the 1920s
- Maintained robust health and continued working past age 100
- Avoided dementia and credited intellectually stimulating work for longevity
- Died at 109 years old, far outpacing peers in lifespan
Jeanne Calment
- French woman who lived to 122, the longest confirmed human lifespan
- Remained mentally sharp past age 100, with memory intact
- Genetics and behavior likely contributed more than intelligence alone to her longevity
- Proves even those with average intelligence can live extremely long under the right circumstances
These examples highlight how intelligence can support but not absolutely guarantee exceptional longevity.
Conclusions
Based on the full body of evidence, higher intelligence appears correlated with longevity. Multiple studies find people with higher IQs, education levels, and cognitive abilities live on average longer than less intelligent peers. This may stem from a combination of behavioral factors, career and socioeconomic benefits of higher intelligence, and protection of the brain against aging. However, intelligence has limits in combating biological aging. Getting cancer or heart disease can cut lives short regardless of IQ. Extreme longevity into the 100s also often involves luck and genetic blessings not tied to intelligence. Raising education, improving emotional as well as cognitive intelligence, and promoting healthy lifestyles across populations will likely have the greatest benefits for improving longevity.
| Study | Findings on Intelligence and Longevity |
|---|---|
| Swedish men IQ study | Men with higher IQs had lower mortality over 18 year follow-up |
| Terman’s gifted cohort | Those with IQs over 140 lived 7-8 years longer than average |
| 2006 meta-analysis | Childhood IQ predicted longer lifespan, even when controlling for SES |
| 2009 IQ and longevity study | Children with higher IQs more likely to live to 76 |
In conclusion, a preponderance of studies provides evidence for a correlation between higher intelligence and increased longevity. While more research is still needed, it appears those with greater cognitive abilities tend to live longer on average.