New research correlates a "disagreeable attitude" with "increased intelligence." More specifically, older people with above-average intelligence tend to be more disagreeable than those of lesser intelligence. Interestingly, when above-average intelligent people are younger, they tend to be more likely to be open to new situations, rather than being disagreeable. Something happens in the middle where these young open minds become far less agreeable.
According to co-author Jacqueline Bichsel, an associate professor of psychology at Morgan State University, in Baltimore, "...when we get older -- and this hasn't been found before -- it appears that openness to experience is no longer as important, and what is important is a disagreeable nature."
The researchers concluded that among the older participants, agreeableness appears to be negatively related to intelligence. This implies, the researchers suggested, that being older and unfriendly might actually equate with being smarter.
The researchers concluded that the association between intelligence and personality changes with age -- with the kind of openness younger people need to absorb new information perhaps less meaningful to older and smarter adults who have already acquired a lot of knowledge.
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Originally Posted by Fatt Max
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