Research Suggests Cognitive Ability Associated With More Controlled Emotional Response

Research Suggests Cognitive Ability, Associated With More Controlled, Emotional Response.

PsyPost reports that new research suggests that people with high cognitive ability display slower and less intense emotional peaks compared to people with lower cognitive abilities.

PsyPost reports that new research suggests that people with high cognitive ability display slower and less intense emotional peaks compared to people with lower cognitive abilities.

The research found that emotional reactions of people with higher cognitive ability start more slowly, are less intense and change gradually.

General cognitive ability includes a range of skills like reasoning, problem-solving, logic and abstract thinking.

People with higher levels of cognitive ability (or general intelligence) exhibited emotional reactions that were delayed or slower than people with lower levels of cognitive ability did, Michael D.

Robinson, Study author and professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, via PsyPost.

The findings suggest that individuals with higher cognitive function experience emotional shifts that are gradual, which indicated a more controlled emotional response.

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This delayed emotional response may be the result of 'over-thinking' feelings and may come at the cost of spontaneity.

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We speculate that certain forms of intellectual activity obscure or confuse more spontaneous emotional processes.

, Michael D.

Robinson, Study author and professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, via PsyPost.

That is, intelligent people may ‘over-think’ their feelings, losing touch with the more emotion-related aspects of their lives.

, Michael D.

Robinson, Study author and professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, via PsyPost.

Conversely, people with less cognitive ability may be more spontaneous and in tune with their emotions, at least on average, Michael D.

Robinson, Study author and professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, via PsyPost.

The study, “General cognitive ability, as assessed by self- reported ACT scores, is associated with reduced emotional responding: Evidence from a Dynamic Affect Reactivity Task“, was published in the journal 'Intelligence.'