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Individuals with high intellectual ability frequently occupy leadership roles across business, science and politics. To date, it has not been definitively established whether a high intelligence quotient correlates with specific political orientations. However, recent research reveals a significant gender-specific distinction: Intellectually gifted men tend to be less conservative than men of average intellectual ability. This study, authored by Maximilian Krolo and Jörn Sparfeldt, was published in the journal Intelligence.
“Our findings indicate that gifted individuals’ political orientations are more similar to those of average intelligent individuals than many might anticipate,” states psychologist and intelligence researcher Maximilian Krolo of Saarland University. The sole notable divergence pertains to social conservatism among men. In this regard, average intelligent men demonstrated higher levels of conservatism compared to gifted men, a difference not observed among women, pointing to a gender-typical dynamic that has received limited scholarly attention thus far,” explains lead author Krolo. He conducted the research in collaboration with Professors Jörn Sparfeldt of Saarland University and Detlef Rost from Marburg University.
The investigation drew upon data from the Marburg Giftedness Project (‘Marburger Hochbegabtenprojekt’), which involved intelligence assessments of more than 7,000 primary school children during the 1987/1988 academic year. Approximately 150 boys and girls attained an intelligence quotient of 130 or above, consistent with the estimated two percent prevalence of gifted individuals in the general population. This cohort was paired with a comparison group of children exhibiting average intelligence and a comparable socio-economic background. Subsequent intelligence testing in the ninth grade identified 107 gifted adolescents and a matched cohort of 107 average intelligent adolescents. These individuals were then observed longitudinally over several decades and surveyed multiple times on a range of topics. “More than 35 years later, we were able to collect data on their political attitudes. Responses were received from 87 gifted and 71 average intelligent adults, amounting to an impressive response rate of approximately 75 percent,” reports educational scientist and psychologist Jörn Sparfeldt.
The study was premised on the hypothesis that individuals with higher intelligence typically exhibit greater openness to new experiences. “We posited that gifted individuals possess an enhanced capacity to engage with complex or nuanced concepts, and therefore might be predisposed to reject rigid political dogma,” explains Maximilian Krolo. A central research question was whether this cognitive flexibility translates into distinct political views in adulthood.
Participants from the Marburg Giftedness Project were asked to position themselves on a conventional left-right political spectrum. They subsequently completed a comprehensive questionnaire assessing political orientation across four thematic domains, which encompassed the following four thematic areas: Regarding economic libertarianism, participants were queried on their views concerning the justice of supporting individuals perceived as less productive. “To assess potential conservative attitudes, we explored participants’ valuation of a shared culture as a fundamental unifying element of society. In the socialism domain, respondents indicated whether they considered income inequalities unjust on the basis of universal human equality,” details Maximilian Krolo. In the liberalism category, respondents evaluated the importance of living life according to their own wishes, provided no harm befell others.
“We analysed differences between gifted and average intelligent groups and examined gender-specific variations. On the straightforward left-right scale, no statistically significant differences emerged; both groups tended to locate themselves near the political centre,” Krolo notes. Analyses across economic libertarianism, socialism, and liberalism likewise revealed no significant differences between groups, even irrespective of gender. “High intelligence does not appear to predispose individuals towards or away from these particular political orientations,” states Krolo.
Conversely, the research identified a pronounced divergence in attitudes towards conservatism. “Our findings suggest that average intelligent men were more inclined to endorse values associated with tradition and stringent social order. By contrast, men with higher intelligence quotients less frequently espoused such traditional conservative views,” Krolo summarizes. Among female participants, no comparable differences were detected. “In the current context, where populist movements across the political spectrum are gaining momentum in Germany and Europe, accompanied by increasing political polarization, it is crucial to empirically investigate these dynamics, rather than relying on speculation. Our study provides a robust empirical foundation as it represents the first systematic examination of the political orientations of gifted adults,” emphasizes Maximilian Krolo.
Previous research, including phases of the Marburg Giftedness Project, indicates that gifted individuals often enjoy advantages stemming from superior academic and professional performance. In areas less directly related to achievement, however, they typically do not differ markedly from average intelligent individuals. “Given that gifted individuals frequently hold influential positions, understanding their perspectives on politics, economics and society is of considerable importance. Their ideas and nuanced viewpoints have the potential to contribute meaningfully to societal progress,” observes Professor Jörn Sparfeldt, who has directed the Marburg Giftedness Project for three years. The current investigation demonstrates that elevated intelligence does not necessarily lead to radical political stances; rather, gifted adults generally exhibit a political diversity and moderation comparable to the broader population. “Further research is warranted, particularly to ascertain whether observed conservative attitudes among some individuals translate into corresponding political behaviours,” adds Jörn Sparfeldt.
Maximilian Krolo, M.Sc.
Research associate
Assessment, Counselling and Intervention Lab
Department of Educational Science
Tel.: +49 681 302-3534
Email: maximilian.krolo@uni-saarland.de
Prof. Dr. Jörn Sparfeldt
Assessment, Counselling and Intervention Lab
Department of Educational Science
Tel.: +49 681 302-57490
Email: j.sparfeldt@mx.uni-saarland.de
Maximilian Krolo, Jörn R. Sparfeldt and Detlef H. Rost: Exploring exceptional minds: Political orientations of gifted adults, published in the journal Intelligence
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2025.101986
Maximilian Krolo is the lead author of the study on the political views of gifted individuals.
Source: James Zabel
Copyright: Universität des Saarlandes
Professor Jörn Sparfeldt, Assessment, Counselling and Intervention Lab, Department of Educational Sc ...
Source: Lukas Wilms
Copyright: Universität des Saarlandes
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