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Chronotype correlates with developmental index, intelligence and academic achievement: A study based on nationwide
1a Department of Biology , University of Tuebingen , Tuebingen , Germany.
Chronobiology International
|June 9, 2017
Summary
Chronotype, or morningness-eveningness, influences national economic status and academic performance. Higher national development correlates with less morningness, while higher intelligence is linked to eveningness, though these links fade when controlling for IQ.
Area of Science:
- Chronobiology
- Individual Differences
- Societal Impact
Background:
- Chronotype (morningness-eveningness) is a biologically based individual trait.
- Previous meta-analyses suggest links between chronotype and psychological/societal variables.
- Economic status has been anecdotally linked to chronotype.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between chronotype and national-level data.
- To explore associations with economic indicators, school achievement, intelligence, and personality.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nationwide data correlating chronotype with economic variables (HDI, GNI), school achievement (PISA), intelligence (IQ), and conscientiousness.
- Partial correlations were used to control for IQ.
Main Results:
- Higher national development (HDI) and GNI correlated with reduced morningness.
- Higher intelligence and PISA scores were associated with eveningness.
- Controlling for IQ eliminated the observed relationships between GNI and morningness, and between eveningness and PISA scores.
Conclusions:
- National economic development and academic performance show complex associations with chronotype.
- Intelligence appears to be a significant confounding factor in the relationship between chronotype and societal variables.
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