Does intelligence predict increased support for economic conservatism? Evidence from two large, longitudinal UK cohorts

A number of recent studies have shown that higher intelligence is associated with socially liberal (as opposed to conservative) attitudes. Less clear, however is whether this link extends to economic attitudes. Here in two... [ view full abstract ]

A number of recent studies have shown that higher intelligence is associated with socially liberal (as opposed to conservative) attitudes. Less clear, however is whether this link extends to economic attitudes. Here in two large, longitudinal UK cohorts (each N > 7,100) we assessed whether childhood intelligence predicted adult economically conservative (or liberal) attitudes. In both cohorts we saw a positive association – higher levels of childhood (age 10-11) intelligence were related to higher levels of economic conservatism in adulthood (age 30-33): β = .20 [CI95%: .17, .23] and .26 [CI95%: .24, .28], respectively. These effects were robust to the inclusion of potential confounders (sex, parental social class, childhood conduct problems). Moreover, this pathway was partially mediated by educational attainment and achieved social class. This finding confirms predictions of a self-interest model of economic attitudes: namely that higher levels of human capital – a blend of cognitive ability and educational attainment – cause individuals to prefer economic policies that limit redistribution of the wealth they have accumulated (or might plausibly expect to accumulate in time). However, direct effects of intelligence on economic attitudes were still evident, indicating that the relationship between these variables extends beyond mere self-interest. Some additional mechanisms that might account for the relationship between intelligence and economic attitudes will be discussed.