Intelligence levels may influence the types of individuals a person finds unpleasant, according to a study.

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, researchers have found a correlation between intelligence and prejudice, shedding light on the groups we tend to dislike. The study, involving 5,914 participants representative of the United States, offers insights into the complexities of human behavior and emotions.

The study reaffirms the theory that it is human nature to dislike people who are different from us, especially those who don't look or think like us. It appears that hate is a fact of life, and our hardwired tendencies make us predisposed to dislike some people based on their beliefs or mere existence.

Interestingly, the study found that both people with high and low intelligence levels display intergroup bias, but towards different sets of groups. Less intelligent people often essentialize different groups, seeing them as distinct with clear boundaries and less of a threat. On the other hand, individuals of higher intelligence are likely to be prejudiced against groups considered conventional and groups thought to have a choice in their associations.

The study's findings suggest that the type of people you hate may reflect your intelligence. For instance, those with higher intelligence were more likely to dislike people perceived as liberal, unconventional, and having lower levels of choice over group membership. Conversely, those with higher intelligence were less likely to dislike people perceived as conservative, conventional, and having higher levels of choice over group membership.

Moreover, the smartest people were more likely to dislike those considered more conservative. People high in cognitive ability express more prejudice against high-choice groups, especially those they think should be able to change their minds.

Persons of higher cognitive ability tend to prefer individuals with higher cognitive functioning or traits such as self-discipline, clear goal structure, and emotional stability. Conversely, persons of lower cognitive ability may prefer others with different or less complex cognitive traits, potentially influenced by habitual behaviors and emotional valence of interactions. However, explicit distinctions about who exactly is preferred by each group are not clearly defined in the available search results.

Before fueling hateful emotions, it's better to take a moment and think about why we feel the way we do, and try to understand the other person's motivations. Understanding the reasons behind negative emotions is a step in the right direction towards reducing prejudice and hate.

Christine Schoenwald, a writer, performer, and frequent contributor to various publications, offers her insights on this study. Her articles have been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Salon, Bustle, Medium, Huffington Post, Business Insider, and Woman's Day.

A separate study from Tilburg University also found that prejudice may be linked to overall intelligence. This research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that intelligence plays a significant role in shaping our attitudes and perceptions towards others.

In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between intelligence and prejudice, offering a starting point for further research and potential interventions aimed at reducing hate and promoting understanding and empathy.

Intelligence levels may influence the types of individuals a person finds unpleasant, according to a study.