Why is Intelligence not Making You Happier?

Bianjing Ma () and Lei Chen ()
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Bianjing Ma: Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics
Lei Chen: Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2024, vol. 25, issue 1, No 3, 25 pages

Abstract: Abstract This study examines the association between cognitive ability and happiness and presents three main findings using a nationally representative sample from China. First, there is only a tiny and insignificant correlation between cognitive ability and happiness. Second, cognitive ability is not associated with greater expectations of worldly success or disregarding real life. Third, people with higher cognitive ability have advantages regarding objective physical and mental health, income level, and social status. Still, they tend to underestimate their relative socioeconomic position and have less confidence about their future, which inhibits their subjective well-being. This study contributes to understanding the new human capital theory and explores the underlying causes of perceptual bias in socioeconomic status.

Keywords: Cognitive ability; Socioeconomic status; Perception bias; Happiness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 I31 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:25:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10902-024-00722-1

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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-024-00722-1

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