Story perspectives

Higher IQ Boosts Adoption of Superior Novel Solutions

6/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers led by Tiarn Burtenshaw reported that higher intelligence increases the likelihood of adopting superior novel solutions.
The study tested 201 Western Australian undergraduates, 369 UK participants paid £5, and 90 undergraduates using Padlock and Maze tasks that measured solution efficiency or taxi-route length.
Higher openness to experience was associated with switching to new solutions that were similar or inferior, while longer training (one, three, or six rounds) reduced switching.

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Story summary

Researchers led by Tiarn Burtenshaw reported that higher intelligence increases the likelihood of adopting superior novel solutions.
The study tested 201 Western Australian undergraduates, 369 UK participants paid £5, and 90 undergraduates using Padlock and Maze tasks that measured solution efficiency or taxi-route length.
Higher openness to experience was associated with switching to new solutions that were similar or inferior, while longer training (one, three, or six rounds) reduced switching.