Scientists: high salary can lead to a decrease in the level of intelligence

High intelligence is indeed associated with a higher salary, but only up to a certain threshold - about 57,300 dollars a year (about 357,000 rubles a month), researchers at Linköping University found Sweden. Once an employee's ability declines as income rises. Some leaders even become dumber than their subordinates. results research published in the European Sociological Review.

The study analyzed the cognitive abilities of 59,387 men aged 18-19 and their subsequent earnings over an 11-year period between approximately 35 and 45 years of age. To assess the intelligence of respondents at a young age, a standard test was used, which the Swedes pass as part of their compulsory military service. It includes questions on verbal comprehension, technical comprehension, spatial ability, and logic.

For more objective results, the scientists excluded psychological factors such as the level of motivation or superior social skills that can help employees gain high paying job.

“We have not found any evidence that people in high positions and receiving extraordinary salaries deserve it more than those who earn only half of that money,” write the authors of the study, which was led by Mark Keushnigg.

No correlation between intellect and high wages can lead to increased inequality in society, the researchers note. Especially in high-tech countries, where the income of some managers reaches six figures.

In conclusion, the authors suggest that career much more influenced by connections and luck, rather than high intelligence.