Research Indicates Higher Cognitive Ability Linked to More Controlled Emotional Responses

Research Suggests Cognitive Ability, Associated With More Controlled, Emotional Response.
PsyPost reports that new research suggests that people with
high cognitive ability display slower and less intense emotional
peaks compared to people with lower cognitive abilities.
PsyPost reports that new research suggests that people with
high cognitive ability display slower and less intense emotional
peaks compared to people with lower cognitive abilities.
The research found that emotional reactions of
people with higher cognitive ability start more
slowly, are less intense and change gradually.
General cognitive ability includes a range
of skills like reasoning, problem-solving,
logic and abstract thinking.
People with higher levels of cognitive
ability (or general intelligence) exhibited
emotional reactions that were delayed
or slower than people with lower
levels of cognitive ability did, Michael D. Robinson, Study author and professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, via PsyPost.
The findings suggest that individuals with higher cognitive
function experience emotional shifts that are gradual,
which indicated a more controlled emotional response. .
This delayed emotional response may be
the result of 'over-thinking' feelings and
may come at the cost of spontaneity. .
We speculate that certain forms of
intellectual activity obscure or
confuse more spontaneous
emotional processes. , Michael D. Robinson, Study author and professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, via PsyPost.
That is, intelligent people may ‘over-think’
their feelings, losing touch with the more
emotion-related aspects of their lives. , Michael D. Robinson, Study author and professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, via PsyPost.
Conversely, people with less cognitive ability
may be more spontaneous and in tune
with their emotions, at least on average, Michael D. Robinson, Study author and professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, via PsyPost.
The study, “General cognitive ability, as assessed by self-
reported ACT scores, is associated with reduced emotional
responding: Evidence from a Dynamic Affect Reactivity
Task“, was published in the journal 'Intelligence.'