The Role of IQ in Cooperation and Collective Action

IQ influences cooperation and collective action, but it may not be intelligence itself that drives this behavior. Research indicates that smarter individuals tend to show greater cooperation in collective action scenarios, such as Prisoners Dilemma games. This tendency is linked to a longer time horizon; smarter individuals recognize the long-term advantages of delaying immediate individual benefits for the sake of group outcomes. Consequently, they are more likely to engage in socially beneficial behaviors, even if they are not inherently 'nicer' people. This perspective suggests that shortsightedness can lead to selfishness, as those who focus solely on immediate gains may disregard the broader implications of their actions.

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