Apparently Being Smart Can Also Make You Lazy
[Disclaimer right up front: If this study has merit, I could be the smartest person in the world. Just sayin’.]
The “Journal of Health Psychology” has issued a study that implies the lazier you are, the smarter you could be. Let’s take a closer look, shall we? I’ll be right back—I need to get the Cheetos, TV remote and my new slippers.
Simply put, they say that people with a higher IQ get bored less easily. This means they spend more time thinking rather than doing. (Why doesn’t my wife understand this concept?) Other studies suggest that intelligent people swear more, stay awake longer and are more messy. That is a separate issue for now.
Our active counterparts tend to be less lazy, because they need physical activities to stimulate their minds. According to the Huffington Post, this is “either because they want to do less thinking or because they get bored fast.”
Researchers at Florida Gulf Coast University set up two study groups: “Thinkers” and “Non-Thinkers.” The test was called “Need for Cognition,” and both groups were given a gizmo to wear for a week to measure physical activity. Results showed the “Thinker” group was far less active during the week, given that they were more comfortable sitting and thinking vs. being compelled to get up and do something else.
Study lead Todd McElroy said in the The British Psychological Society: ”
Ultimately, an important factor that may help more thoughtful individuals combat their lower average activity levels is awareness. Awareness of their tendency to be less active, coupled with an awareness of the cost associated with inactivity, (means) more thoughtful people may then choose to become more active throughout the day.
Of course… your results may vary. It also stands to note that the sample size for this study was small (60 people total). Regardless, where did I put my jammies?
[h/t: Huffington Post]
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