Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
05:35
Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization
Published on: April 19, 2017
Bright children become enlightened adults
Ian J Deary1, G David Batty, Catharine R Gale
1Department of Psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK. i.deary@ed.ac.uk
Psychological Science
|January 10, 2008
Summary
Higher childhood intelligence (g) predicts more liberal social attitudes in adulthood. This link was partly explained by educational attainment, not parental or individual social class.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Childhood intelligence differences are known to influence adult life outcomes.
- However, the relationship between early cognitive ability and the development of complex social attitudes remains less understood.
- Understanding this link can illuminate the origins of societal beliefs and behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prospective association between general intelligence (g) at age 10 and social attitudes at age 30.
- To identify the mediating factors, such as educational qualifications and occupational social class, in this relationship.
- To explore potential sex differences in the association between intelligence and social attitudes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a large, representative British cohort (N=7,070) born in 1970.
- Employed statistical analyses to identify a latent trait underlying various liberal and antitraditional social attitudes.
- Examined the mediating roles of educational attainment and occupational social class on the intelligence-attitude association.
Main Results:
- A significant positive association was found between higher general intelligence at age 10 and more liberal/antitraditional social attitudes at age 30.
- Educational qualifications partially mediated this association, while occupational social class did not.
- Similar patterns were observed for both men and women, with specific findings regarding trust in the democratic system for lower occupational groups.
Conclusions:
- Childhood general intelligence is a significant predictor of adult social attitudes, particularly liberal and antitraditional viewpoints.
- Educational attainment plays a partial role in mediating the influence of intelligence on social attitudes.
- Social attitudes represent a key area where childhood intelligence differences manifest in adult life, highlighting a novel link.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Adler's Individual Psychology
Alfred Adler, a prominent figure in psychology, founded the school of individual psychology. In contrast to Freud's emphasis on sexual or aggressive motives, Adler suggested that individuals are primarily motivated by their purposes and goals. He believed that people strive for perfection rather than pleasure. Adler argued that individuals could creatively act upon their genetic inheritance and environmental experiences to shape their own lives, emphasizing conscious motivation over unconscious...
01:19Piaget's Stage 4 of Cognitive Development
The formal operational stage, as described in Piaget's cognitive development theory, begins around age 11 and extends into adulthood. It marks the emergence of advanced cognitive abilities that differentiate adolescent and adult thinking from those of younger children. This stage is characterized by abstract reasoning, hypothetical-deductive reasoning, and a more complex understanding of self and others.
Abstract Reasoning and Hypothetical-Deductive Thinking
Unlike the concrete operational...
Abstract Reasoning and Hypothetical-Deductive Thinking
Unlike the concrete operational...
01:25Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development from Childhood into Adulthood
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development emphasizes the role of thinking in a child's learning process, suggesting that children are naturally curious about their environment. His approach to development is discontinuous, proposing that cognitive abilities progress through distinct stages, each with unique characteristics. Central to Piaget's theory is schemata—mental structures that allow individuals to understand and interpret the world.
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
Schemata...
Schemata: Building Blocks of Knowledge
Schemata...
01:29Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...