Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Study: Intelligence Doesn't Drive Radical Political Views

2/18/2026

37 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A study published in Intelligence finds that highly intelligent adults do not hold more radical political views than their peers.
The study compared 87 gifted and 71 non-gifted adults from Germany, identified in childhood, via surveys.
It found no significant differences in economic libertarianism, socialism, or liberalism.
However, non-gifted men exhibited higher conservatism than gifted men.

1 of 1

Story summary

A study published in Intelligence finds that highly intelligent adults do not hold more radical political views than their peers.
The study compared 87 gifted and 71 non-gifted adults from Germany, identified in childhood, via surveys.
It found no significant differences in economic libertarianism, socialism, or liberalism.
However, non-gifted men exhibited higher conservatism than gifted men.