Can people be smart, but at the same time do irrational actions? A new study of British scientists challenges traditional distinction between intelligence and rational thinking, arguing that these two cognitive abilities are much more interconnected than previously thought.
The team of scientists, led by Professor Timothy Bates from the University of Edinburgh, analyzed the data of the Brisbensky study of teenage twins. The research covered both single and different twins, which made it possible to evaluate the impact of genetics on intelligence and rationality. Participants passed tests for general cognitive abilities, including vocabulary and mathematical thinking, as well as special tasks for rational decision -making. One of the main tests - the so -called "cognitive reflexive test" - measured the ability to restrain intuitive but incorrect answers and apply deeper analysis. The results revealed an interesting fact: there is no separate cognitive component that would be responsible for rational thinking regardless of general intelligence. This means that logic and tendency to consider decisions depend largely on the overall level of human cognitive abilities. Thus, people with high intelligence are more likely to make rational decisions, while irrational actions can be the result of limited cognitive resources. This study has important practical consequences. If rationality is part of general intelligence, then the development of cognitive abilities (through training, brain training, etc.) can improve the quality of decision -making in everyday life. However, the authors also recognize some restrictions on their work. For example, the method of evaluating rationality may not cover all aspects of decision -making in real life situations. Therefore, future research should take into account the cultural features and age -related changes in cognitive processes.
This discovery reduces the gap between the concepts of intelligence and rationality, showing that the ability to make logical decisions is deeply rooted in the overall cognitive abilities of a person. In other words, smart people are less likely to make irrational decisions - and now we have a scientific confirmation of this fact.
