It’s often said that intelligent people tend to be less social, but here’s the twist: they don’t seem to mind. In fact, they might even be happier this way.
Do you think of yourself as more of a loner? Are you comfortable with how you live your life? Do you ever feel like society’s message that we need a ton of people around us all the time doesn’t quite fit with how you feel? Maybe you prefer the peace of nature to the chaos of a big city.
Would you rather cuddle up with your partner or dive into a good book than go to a loud party? Have your parents ever worried that you don’t have enough friends?
If any of this sounds like you, relax—there’s nothing wrong with being more private. In fact, there’s a good chance it means you’re highly intelligent.
We already know that smart people often feel more anxious or socially awkward because they’re more aware of what’s going on around them. But, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Psychology, it goes even deeper than that. Highly intelligent people actually prefer being alone, and there’s a very interesting reason why.
The study revealed something surprising: smarter people tend to socialize less and yet still feel perfectly happy. Evolutionary psychologists have found a link between social interaction and happiness—one that affects intelligent people in a unique way.
The researchers surveyed adults aged 18 to 28 and found something fascinating. Those who lived in more crowded areas—think big cities—tended to report lower levels of happiness. Even more surprising, people who spent a lot of time hanging out with their friends also felt less satisfied with life.
So, what’s the reason? It has to do with something called the “Savannah theory.” The study suggests that the things that made humans happy thousands of years ago, when we lived in small, close-knit groups, still shape our happiness today. Back then, social interaction was key to survival—if you weren’t part of the group, you didn’t stand much of a chance in the wild.
But here’s the cool part: smarter people have evolved to handle modern life in a different way. They don’t need large social groups to feel safe or fulfilled. Instead, they’re more likely to go off on their own and focus on their personal goals. So, when given the choice between “fitting in” or “going solo,” highly intelligent people often choose to forge their own path.
This idea also helps explain why people living in smaller towns often report feeling happier than those in big cities. Known as the “urban-rural happiness gradient,” it shows that smaller communities tend to foster a greater sense of belonging and connection.
You can walk into the corner store and see a familiar face, and that sense of community brings comfort. But in a big city, it’s easy to feel like just another face in the crowd.
For intelligent people, though, they don’t necessarily need that sense of belonging to be happy. They focus on what truly matters to them—whether that’s a few close friends or their own personal goals.
So, if you’ve ever felt perfectly fine spending time alone or having just a few close relationships, you might just be following the path of the highly intelligent. Happiness doesn’t always come from being surrounded by a crowd; sometimes, it’s about finding contentment in your own space.
What do you think? Do you feel happier with fewer social interactions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
