New research seems to prove the theory that brainy people
spend more time lazing around than their active counterparts.
Findings from a US-based study seem to support the idea that
people with a high IQ get bored less easily, leading them to
spend more time engaged in thought.
And active people may be more physical as they need to
stimulate their minds with external activities, either to escape
their thoughts or because they get bored quickly. Researchers
from the Florida Gulf Coast University gave a classic test –
dating back three decades - to a group of students.
The ‘need for cognition’ questionnaire asked participants to
rate how strongly they agree with statements such as "I really
enjoy a task that involves coming up with new solutions to
problems", and "I only think as hard as I have to".
The researchers, led by Todd McElroy, then selected 30
‘thinkers’ and 30 ‘non-thinkers’ from the pool of candidates.
Over the next seven days both groups wore a device on their
wrist which tracked their movements and activity levels,
providing a constant stream of data on how physically active
they were.
Results showed the thinking group were far less active during
the week than the non-thinkers.
The findings of the study, published in the Journal of Health
Psychology, were described as “highly significant” and
“robust” in statistical terms.
Researchers suggested the findings could lend weight to the
idea that non-thinkers get bored more easily, so need to fill
their time with physical activity.
Mmmm...
Source: Source.. Independent.co.uk
