Atheists against religious people: who is smarter?

Scientists conducted a new study that explains the negative correlation between religiosity and intelligence. Researchers from the UK and the Netherlands suggest that religion is an instinct, and rejecting it, that is, the ability to "rise above it," is associated with a higher level of intelligence.

Religion and Intellect

In an article published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology of Science, researchers argue that religion is the so-called "evolved domain," that is, in fact, an instinct.

If religion is an evolving domain, then it's instinct. On the other hand, the intellect, that is, the ability to rationally solve problems, is the overcoming of instinct and curiosity, which means openness to non-instinctive possibilities. This was stated by the co-author of the study Edward Dutton of the Institute of Social Research of Ulster in the UK.

Intellect of our ancestors

These ideas are based on the work of the evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa "Principles of IQ in the Savannah". From a biological point of view, we did not go far from our ancestors living in the savannah. This means that our psychology depends heavily on how the first intelligent person interacted with the world.

Meta-analysis results

A meta-analysis of 63 studies showed that there is a significant negative relationship between the religiosity of people and their intelligence. Let us clearly clarify what this trend means. It turns out that although on average the atheists are more intelligent than religious people, this does not indicate the ability of any individual person. For example, you can meet an incredibly intelligent religious person, as well as a close-minded atheist.

Instincts and stress

The model, developed by Dutton in co-authorship with Dimitri Van der Linden of the University of Rotterdam, also examines the general relationship between instinct and intellect. In particular, this model focuses on the relationship between instinct and stress. In a stressful period, for example, during the payment of taxes, people tend to rely more on instincts and much less on rational thinking. Intelligence (rationality) helps to cope with instinctive actions during such periods.

If religion is really an evolved domain, and in fact - an instinct, then people often resort to it in a stressful situation, because at this time they tend to act instinctively. Scientists have clear evidence of this. It also means that the intellect gives us the opportunity to pause and understand both the situation itself and the possible consequences of our actions.

This fact is crucial for a person's ability to solve their problems. This skill is also important in the changing conditions of our life. The lifestyle of a person has changed dramatically over the past 11 thousand years, so instinctive behavior can sometimes be unproductive. Researchers, as a rule, refer to this as an evolutionary mismatch: what was beneficial for hunter-gatherers may be bad for us.

Human psychology is a complex field, and this means that we will not soon hear the last word in this discussion.