Sexuality and IQ
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Do people with lower IQ's have more sex? Does your IQ determine whether you will cheat on your spouse? Does a higher IQ mean better sex? There are so many questions, and there is research that attempts to answer our inquiring minds about IQ in relation to sex.
Men and IQ- My own observations: I've noticed men who engage in hobbies, read a lot, think or self-reflect a lot, tend not to concentrate on sex in their relationships as much. Sex is an aspect rather than a focus. Some men, when asked the question "How long has it been since your last sexual encounter, will have a quick and precise answer down to the minute while other men (the brainier ones) have to think about it because they aren't totally focused on it. Maybe they just know how to occupy their brain enough to take the focus off their brain below the belt. Maybe their stimulus is more balanced- part brain and part (other)anatomy.
Sex, Evolution, and Cheating:Several scientists are stating from studies that cheating men have a lower IQ. Some explain it as smarter men are more 'evolved', meaning they are more likely to accept the new terms of evolution, which includes monogamy. It does require intelligence over temptation to understand that exclusive relationships offer more reward and security leading to higher chances of survival within our species and more personally, our offspring. Evolution no longer favors quick and non-select procreators, but rather exclusive relationships with partners and longer relationships with offspring. These studies have not been done on women and scientists even state this theory doesn't even apply to them- perhaps it's a given.
Sex, IQ, and Politics?In one recent study conducted by Dr Kanazawa, in the Journal Social Psychology Quarterly, claims that intelligent people are less likely to believe in God or hold conservative views. Suggesting that selfless liberal views are more open-minded and evolutionary. Yes, there are studies that show the correlation between liberals having higher IQ's than conservatives, but I was under the impression conservative views were in favor of monogamous relationships.
I would disagree with Dr. Kanazawa's study because a lack of religious or typical conservative values would likely lead people to not value institutions such as marriage and monogamy. Perhaps liberal open-mindedness would be more likely to justify various types of relationship besides monogamous.
This researcher also used an example of Tiger Woods and his infidelity linking him to being conservative while Paul Newman, who was more liberal, was deemed a very faithful Hollywood husband. Explain Bill Clinton then- hmmm.
Another caveat of these cheating and IQ studies is the possibility that smarter people just don't get caught. It would make sense that dumber people don't cover their tracks as well. Some studies are self-report, meaning question and answer research, and smart men may not confess even in an anonymous study questionnaire.
Women and IQ: In general, women use significantly more areas of their brains simultaneously than men and they typically aren't as sexually driven. This is not to say women have a higher IQ than men- that's not true, but it may be why women say they can't shut their brain up enough to focus on getting sexually aroused.
It seems women are enjoying sex more than 50 or more years ago. Some speculate because they are less inhibited (sexual revolution, women's rights, etc) and I would also like to add the average woman's IQ has substantially gone up in recent years. We are learning more about sex, ourselves, and even feel more confident.
Adolescence and IQ: Beginning in my teen years there were the girls who clearly had low self-esteem and were more promiscuous. Several studies show low self-esteem is directly related to teen pregnancies and promiscuity. I will go one step further and reason that low self-esteem comes from having a lack of goals, lower IQ, and therefore a lack of interests to keep a teens' mind occupied on other accomplishments besides a measurement of sexual encounters to worthiness. Many studies also account for socioeconomic status being a factor in promiscuity as well.
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Interesting hub! Interesting theory! And let's not forget that women and men with higher IQs tend to catch their mates when they do cheat : )
Sometimes I wonder if it isn't true that the higher the IQ, also higher is the fallacy (but belief) that one will not get caught.
i don't think they think necessarily won't get caught . i think they don't want to get caught but are willing to risk it.
Wow, I must be terribly un-evolved because I don't match any of this. I have a relatively high IQ, have participated with local MENSA groups from time to time, I have several hobbies that I am quite devoted to, I read constantly, and I think about sex often. I am in a monogamous relationship with a highly intelligent female who seems to want to have sex more than I do - at least once a day, many times twice, occasionally more! We both believe in "God", would consider ourselves more conservative than liberal - and yet still "selfless". We are not religious, nor do we attend church, yet are very committed to our monogamous relationship. I was unfaithful in my first marriage and in three years never got caught, however I found truth in the saying "you can get away WITH, but not away "FROM" - at least in my own brain. I think this study, like many studies, tends to over-generalize, over-label, and under-appreciate the uniqueness of the individual human soul. I think Joe has made an excellent contribution to this discussion. Thanks!
All good points and comments.
Joe barnett~ The physical/hormonal aspect you speak of is the point of evolution. We all have hormones, but as we evolved we've learned to control them. My hormones dictate my PMS, but I don't become an ax murder even when I hate everyone around me. It's called self-control whether you have raging hormones or not. We see teen boys who usually evolve into men and learn to control themselves. I absolutely agree about socioeconomic status being a big predictor of sexuality, even affording abortions. There aren't many studies concerning that (I found none), but there are several concerning teen pregnancies and promiscuity relating to socioeconomic status.
alahiker28~ very interesting theory about the belief of getting caught.
dougr~ I do believe women with higher IQ's are more sexual, willing to explore and learn about their bodies. That doesn't necessarily mean having more sex though. They should be more likely to know about std's too, which in my own life and opinion means a smart woman would not be promiscuous, but still enjoy sex a lot when in a monogomous relationship. Your experience with cheating tells me you have a conscious, a guilty one when you cheated, which is good and I would link that to you being intelligent. I agree with you about the study being way off with conservative views, religion, etc.
Joe Barnett~ Would you say intelligence has to do with quality of sex? I know you mentioned hormones dictate quantity of sex and men get hung up on quantity being the dertermining variable of 'good sex'. I mentioned in my hub about how intelligent people may have more satisfying/better sex while less intelligent people may have more sex. I don't think the only determination of 'good sex' is how often you do it.
I disagree with your comment "man does need to be monogomous to have better chance of survival" because if you go around and spread your seed...#1 that woman who easily slept with you is probably doing that with other men so if she gets pregnant, you don't know if that was your seed and #2 that seed becomes a person possibly without a dad if you are not around, which lessens your offsrping's chance of good survival in terms of today's standards, #3 using protection is against the theory of evolution- if you know you're not spreading your seed, there is no reason to have sex.
I think the point of sex, evolution, and intelligence is not to say there still isn't the sex drive, the difference is that cavemen used to take/rape a woman when they wanted sex, but a smart and evolved person would realize there are now major consequences to that. Just because a man has a high sex drive does not mean he is going to get sex- he may have a better chance of getting sex regularly if in a relationship.
Intelligence? No! It's the hormones that dictate not only the quantity but the quality.A man with a high sex drive is more likely to get sex than a man with a low sex drive(all things even). One is luke warm the other is on fire. In studies that i've seen it was the male promiscuity that created population explosion.
you mentioned in todays world. to say that if a guy cheats then the woman he's cheating with is likely to cheat,thus ambiguous child.that formula doesn't work. you have seen jerry springer haven't you?? the guy can be surprised too. monogamy is good especially for growing a family. it's stable.
the guy doesn't have to be monogamous for survival or survival of his seed. He can have an infinite amount of children in one year if he wants. Civilization has sought to eliminate or tone down all natural responses to things in life,to control the masses and prevent chaos. Monogamy is one of those things.
Joe Barnett~
Yes, man can spread his seed but as I mentioned above, you don't know if you left behind any kids. If you don't stick around you may not know you're infertile. You may have all the necessary hormones to spread seed, but may be infertile and can't sow your seeds. More testosterone doesn't dictate survival of the species. I go back to my quality argument. Teen boys are raging full of hormones and I don't know a teen boy out there that would know what quality sex is. Hormones do not determine quality by a long shot not unless quality can be had in a quick 30 seconds. Also quality of family life does determine survival of the fittest. Many studies show that our prisons are full of criminals who never knew their father. I wouldn't say a man who spreads his seed and can father many children in one year is at an advantage, not with child support and many quality women will overlook a man who has fathered many children.
It is instinctual for a woman to pick a man who is stable- house money, etc because she can't produce many children like men so she will look for a quality man- quality over quantity. If you went and "spread you seed" many times in a year- you're not getting quality women. there aren't that many quality women who sleep around. She is likely sleeping around with other men so what are the odds any of her children would be yours- you can't possibly know so you don't know that you're even spreading any seed at all.
It sounds like you're upset at the idea of monogomy, but monogomy lessens chances of the spread of std's- I may have watched Jerry Springer about 20 years ago, but you need to watch "The Libertine" and you'll see how glamorous spreading your seed can be- NOT! Monogomy is civilized and civilization is a good thing. Even president Obama seeks the civilized way. Not entertaining every natural response we have is what seperates us from animals.
Izettl i have seen and own the libertine!your hub is sexuality or iq. one is natural the other is learned.you can't learn sexuality, it comes naturally. ask the teenager if he thought the sex was bad, see what he says.also quality is subjective but,the more attractive the woman and higher the testosterone, the better the sex.PERIOD
you ask about sexuality but you talk as though you are asking who would make a better husband.of course a man or woman with strings attached would have a problem. women look for better genes which in this day and age equate to house and money,i guess.so without being funny,for you,who is sex gonna be better with larry king the news man( he has a house and money)or a good lookin kid from your neighborhood that lives in a mobile home? which one did you choose. if sex is better with larry king then its materialism that you seek that makes it better for you
the question is do intelligent people have better sex or more correctly put is sex better because you are intelligent.I think no!
Also somehow i think you have mistaken something that i said to say that i don't like monogamy. wrong! i said that men don't "have" to have monogamy to survive, that's all.
debate is healthy!
This is a work of genius! I wish that I could effectively point out every facet of the utter brilliance. My attempt: The relationships that you make between the ego, intelligence, religious "views" (separated from beliefs).
I'm obviously a man. I have to agree with the assertion that "men don't need monogamy". Their ego, based on proliferation of the strongest of the species, ego in general, and the ego that the woman couldn't desire another, speaks to your point.
I'm a man that's never been unfaithful, no matter how deep the bonds are- but I applaud your work here.
Very well done, dear student of life.
This is quite an interesting Hub. I would say that economic factors are heavily in play. Sex is one of the few pleasures the poor can readily have in abundance—if they have a willing partner, of course. Whether intelligence affects the quality of sex depends on what kind of sex you like. I would say intelligent people have more intelligent sex. But some people like a more animalistic sex and the less bright may be better at that. Thanks for the pleasure. Of reading your Hub.
Thanks James for stopping by~ This hub is just one of those where I like to question the latest/popular psych or sociology studies that come out. Don't know about better sex and IQ level- I think it's more animalstic, meaning an animal attraction to the other person, regardless of IQ. Not even IQ can explain physical attraction.
Hormones, hormones, hormones.
Both my sister and I say we are very happy to be old enough that those dam things don't try to drag us around by our noses.
Yes, you can resist them. It's a lot more pleasant to outgrow them.
I just got around to reading this. Kanazawa is out of touch. In order to talk about sex, you must have actually had it. Me? I'm messed up I admit. I'm a Christian, who's got a fairly high I.Q. I'm obsessed with my music, working out, and I lay around humping pillows in my spare time. Take that Dr. Kanazawa!
Excellent piece. It's going to take a while, but I'll eventually get all your stuff read as you do such well thought out work.
Funny Pcunix!
themanwithnopants~ can't help but smile when I see your name. thanks for stopping by. yeah dr.kanazawa sounds like he needs to do some "field" research- haha! anyway, I thought it was interesting how he managed to incorporate politics into research about sex and intelligence. He seems very bias and having done some research myself, that's not a good trait to have for a researcher. I bet kanazawa would feel threatened knowing there are Christian men out there like you, with high IQ's.
You're right, he would. And I bet I'm taller than him too!
nice hub's
y ur hub always to sexy profile ...........?
Having married into a family of staunch conservatives (who I think are more recently libretarians), I would have to say that the accusation about their intelligence being lower is baseless. As far as liberals being more altruistic, I went to a college that claimed staunch liberal values, but often this meant that profs would mistreat students that thought differently than them. Also, have you ever heard of Kevin Jackson from the Black Sphere? He's a Black conservative and his video critiquing Jeneanne Garroffalo for a comment she made about the Tea Party is both intelligent and hysterical. Anyway, he argues that the liberals are responsible for a lot of the negative trends associated with Blacks. Definitely bucks the stereotype image of Blacks supporting Democrats.
My dad was a genius, a conservative, and a womanizer who had a secret life of screwing women behind my mother's back.
The thing about liberals being more intelligent is laughable. When people make those claims, it's always a liberal, and the only thing that they are better at is being full of themselves.
Oh, and at being racist/ignorant idiots. I've had liberals online call me an inbred idiot redneck, among other things, all because I live in Georgia.
Nevermind my genius level IQ, or knowledge of pcs, or excellence in math or physics. I live in a location and I have some conservative beliefs so I'm an idiot.
Liberals are nothing but full of it.
Cheaters that do it over and over are obviously a dumb.
Anyway, I observed myself a lot. Even I'm busy, I still think of sex. When I was taking my final test, I thought of sex.
I don't think I am that idiot.
I'm Libertarian
I tend to believe that individuals with lower IQ's have more sex or are more likely to cheat for several reasons. The fact that they may have higher adultry rates may be a result of the lack of intelligence. Because they're not skilled at hiding their transgressions, it may lead to being a statistic in the first place. Secondly, these individuals may have poor impulse control. They see open windows and go in. Out of all the windows they crawl into, 1 in 5 may reward them with sexual satisfaction. However, there is the possibility that the one window may have a loaded gun, thereby ending the chance to increase their evolutionary fitness. My third thought is thought there are more people with lower IQ's than higher IQ's. These people hook up with frequency because to them there are "more fish in the sea". People with higher IQ's may find the pickings to be slim because they may find someone as smart as they are, therefore they may find it more difficult to to seduce each other. They already know each others moves. Of course, my theories aren't scientific per se, just an observation.
Zellio~ I totally agree about the statement that liberals are more intelligent in general. What crap! I thought it was weird that a researcher would actually tie that in with sexuality and IQ. Thanks for the comment Zellio!
Great thoughts A.A. Zavala
Hi izett, I think that this is a really interesting hub and I enjoyed reading it. Men and their sexuality are about as diverse as a woman and her hormones…lol there are biological and social aspects concerned. Even down to the partner he is with could enhance his sex drive, or decrease his sex drive. Intellect in men I don’t think has implications of having less sex or cheating, but maybe sex gets boring for men that have a higher intelligence so they need a woman to stimulate intellect along with having the sexual connection with her. I find it amusing about the political agenda, because that is just a joke onto itself, what about men that live in other countries that are not liberal or conservative? Great topic for discussion.
dawnM~ great to see you here! I just thought this study was so interesting in light of books being published about why men cheat. Apparently people think this is downfall of marriages, but cheating isn't even half of the problems. THe poiltical agenda is such a joke. Mixing that with supposed science made the validity of this study sink even further.
THanks for reading!
Excellent hub on a matter I have just been writing about!
Since when are liberals gunning for relationships that aren't monogamous? That's right - they aren't. Cheating has much more to do with a detachment from the current partner and emotionality than intelligence or politics.
"Explain Bill Clinton then- hmmm."
Using one example of one famous person either way is generalizing and would only be included in a real statisitical study with the more-important numbers to really back it up. Just because one person doesn't follow the pattern doesn't mean it's not there.
And it's monogamous, not monogomous. Learn how to spell.
I thought this article was going to be good. I feel so cheated that I'm wasting this effort commenting.
THanks for the spelling lesson- sorry you didn't like the article. It was based on one study that I also found ridiculous. However, you say the numbers should be backed up by a real statistical study, and it was. What was dumb of the researcher was to use one or two examples of famous people to back up his results. He didn't need to do that because my point was if you find one or two examples on one side, you can find it on another as well. It jsut confirmed a bias shown by the researcher and makes his study less credible.
Professors have theories like dogs have flies. However there are indeed scientific studies showing clear correlation between IQ and better sex. Other factors making quality of sex better are high culture, education, interest to study, all in all mental activity. Same factors are making life generally better, happier, healthier. People with education and activity live longer.
All these elements are clearly showing that POOR PEOPLE HAVE WORSE SEX THAN HEALTHY, WEALTHY, ECUCATED PEOPLE.
Well put Anders
I think this has to do with emotional well being more so than brainy IQ matters.
If you're comfortable and confident, sex comes naturally and is a pleasure. This can come from a low IQ or high IQ individual.
I think you're right bryan. I also think it was intersting that people try to research this correlation. I believe confidence plays a larger role than IQ.
JOE BARNETT 2 years ago
In your formula you omit the main sexual drivers. it is not intellect or lack thereof or socio-economic status . a man does not need to be monogamous to have a better chance of survival,it's vice versa.Without researching the exact statistic i would say the higher socio-economic status "pay for" and use some form of birth control including the non-discussed and always hidden abortion,that the lower status can't afford.
There was a study in a national newspaper last week i think new york post that says the lower the I.Q. the more susceptible one is to believe baseless things ie. religion or we're doing something for God and liberty and freedom when thats not the case. . . at all, but they will believe it anyway. To the person that thinks however, it soon becomes apparent where the domino effect ends and what the purpose of the hoopla was designed for.
And finally the number one thing that was omitted from the report was the level of testosterone. without it "no sex", with it"sex", with lots of it you cant get enough sex.it dictates the sex drive PERIOD. some men have more than others,some men have much more.good hub!