Your intelligence quotient just might be impacting your love life in ways you never dreamed.
Consider this disturbing question: What if physical beauty automatically equated into a higher intelligence quotient, too? If true, then all of us with average looks have a right to be more than a little irritated. Isn’t it unfair to be shortchanged in both beauty and brains?
Unfair or not, apparently it’s more common than once thought. Satoshi Kanazawa is one researcher who says evidence suggests a link between physical attractiveness and IQ. Statistics compiled from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health revealed attractive people are often doubly blessed. They are more intelligent than average and more attractive, too.
The study’s authors observed babies who were born to parents in Great Britain in the 1950s. Scientists subsequently followed the children for over a half-century. Children in the study who were deemed more attractive had an average IQ of 104.23, but IQs of less attractive children averaged 91.81. It’s a startling difference.
What’s the reason for the apparent linkage between beauty and brains? It’s natural selection, explains Kanazawa. Highly successful men who have lots of brain power are often attracted to beautiful women. They subsequently marry them, and then pass on those brainier characteristics to their offspring.
Additional studies and research will be required to prove the validity of this theory, but here’s the take-home lesson. Regardless of how attractive or unattractive your parents or grandparents may be, the steering wheel is in your hands. You can choose to build your brain power and use your intelligence to tackle life’s challenges.
Cultivate self-confidence and commit yourself to regularly engaging in brainy pursuits. Keep in mind that brain boosting isn’t limited to child prodigies. If you want to boost your mental prowess, aim to spend five to 10 minutes a day doing brain-building exercises.
Your overall physical health also affects your brain. Increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your brain cells through eating a healthy diet and committing to a regular exercise program. Speed reading is another way to boost your reasoning and comprehension skills, along with viewing educational television programs.
Aim for a brainier new you, because no matter how many seasons have passed, attitude trumps aptitude any day. Commit to developing your full mental potential.