It’s often said that intelligent people are less social, but here’s something interesting: their happiness doesn’t seem to take a hit because of it. In fact, they might even prefer their quieter, more secluded lifestyle.
Do you ever feel like you don’t need to be surrounded by tons of people to be happy? Are you more content with your own company? Does the idea that society pushes—that we need lots of friends and social events—seem a bit off to you? Maybe you prefer the calm of nature over the hustle and bustle of a big city.
Would you rather snuggle up with your partner or get lost in a good book than go to a loud party? And if your parents worry that you don’t have enough friends, do you find yourself shrugging it off?
If any of this sounds familiar, you might be onto something, and there’s no need to worry. It turns out that being more solitary might just be a sign of intelligence.
We already know that smart people often feel more anxious or have social anxiety because they notice and think about things more deeply than the average person. But it doesn’t stop there. According to a study published in the British Journal of Psychology, highly intelligent people often prefer their own company, and there’s a pretty cool reason for that.
So, what did the study find? Well, it turns out that the more social people are, the less satisfied with life they tend to feel—if they’re highly intelligent. Evolutionary psychologists discovered that there’s a strong link between frequent socializing and lower happiness levels in smarter individuals.
In the study, adults between the ages of 18 and 28 were surveyed, and something surprising came up. People living in crowded, heavily populated areas reported feeling less happy. Even more, the people who spent a lot of time hanging out with their friends also said they were less satisfied with their lives.
But why would that be? That’s where the “Savannah theory” comes into play. The researchers suggest that what made our ancestors happy back in the days when we lived as hunter-gatherers still influences us today. Back then, humans lived in smaller groups—around 150 people—and socializing was key to survival. If you weren’t connected to your group, you probably wouldn’t last very long.
But here’s the twist: highly intelligent people seem to have evolved beyond this ancient need. They’re better at handling the modern world’s challenges and no longer rely on large groups to feel safe or happy. Instead, they thrive on their independence. When faced with the choice of staying in the group or going off on their own, they often choose to forge their own path.
This explains why some people feel happier in smaller towns compared to big cities. Researchers call this the “urban-rural happiness gradient.” People in smaller towns often know each other and feel a sense of community. You can walk into a local café and see familiar faces, while in big cities, it’s easy to feel lost in the crowd.
In these smaller, tight-knit communities, the focus is on who you are as a person and how you connect with others, not just on what you achieve or how popular you are. But intelligent people might not need that sense of belonging to feel fulfilled. They find meaning in their own pursuits and a few, close relationships rather than needing a huge social circle.
So, if you feel perfectly fine doing your own thing or enjoying the company of just a few close friends, you’re not alone—and you’re probably doing just fine. According to this study, being smart means you don’t need a big tribe to be happy!
What do you think about this idea? Do you feel happier with fewer people around you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
