by Rosalia Dimatteo

Created on: March 11, 2010

The only correlation regarding intelligence and sexual activity has to do with whether the participants are intelligent enough to protect themselves and prevent unwanted pregnancies or STI/STDS. 

The study proposed is plausible but its reliability and validity are questionable. The study would assume that students with higher IQ's are less likely to be sexually active because they are spending more time on their studies and less on nurturing a social life. The stereotype of the geeky looking science nerd comes to mind as another reason as to why this study would make that assumption. The misconception that smart people are less attractive and therefore have less opportunities to engage in sexual activity is just that...a misconception. 

People who have higher levels of intelligence have the same amount of sexual drive and intention as other people of their generation. Sexual decision making may be impacted by gained information, but people with higher IQ's may not be seeking this information, just as we cannot determine that people with lower IQ's are not seeking it. Beyond the constraints of stereotypes, all people have equal access to the information they need to make informed decisions regarding sexuality. Perhaps it is just as ridiculous to assume that it is more likely that people with higher IQ's may engage in more sexual activities because they are more likely to be manipulated by people with better social skills, since theirs are lost while their hards remain stuck in a book. 

As children and throughout  adolescence we are constantly reminded that outer appearance does not matter, but it is what is inside and your brains that make you attractive. "Brains are sexy", a person who is smart is more likely to be attractive to the opposite sex...so wouldn't this mean that what the study proposes is in fact that opposite?

Assumptions, generalizations and stereotypes are often misconceptions. It is important not to generalize about people based on religion, race, gender or even intelligence. Many things contribute to a persons likelihood to engage in sexual activity: influence of siblings, peers, religious beliefs, geographical area, self esteem, intoxication, drug use, parenting, liberalism, delinquency, past experiences...the list can go on forever. 

Perhaps in some cases the study would be correct, but in some it would also be the opposite result. That is the beauty of the human race, everyone is different in their own way. 

Learn more about this author, Rosalia Dimatteo.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.