Are night owls generally more intelligent than other people?
Q: Are night owls generally more intelligent than other people?
A: Although it’s too early to conclusively prove anything, different studies suggest that night owls–those who go to bed late and rise late–may be more creative and potentially have higher IQ than morning larks.
The difference appears to be a biological trait hard-wired into the brain. Night owls tend to reach their height of intelligence and creativity later in the day than larks due to a resistance to sleep pressure. While larks peak early and lose cognitive performance as the day wanes on, night owls start off slow and pick up speed.
How this all relates to creativity, intelligence, and IQ is a bit tricky. A 2007 study found that night owls are more likely to “think outside the box” when it came to three different creativity measures. Similarly, art students are more likely to be night owls than management majors.
Regarding IQ, one 1999 study found that those who prefer to go to bed late have higher intelligence scores than those who go to bed earlier. A recent longitudinal sampling of children supported this finding with the conclusion that American children who score highly on IQ tests are more likely to grow up and be more nocturnal.
However, it’s important to remember that having a high IQ doesn’t necessarily equate to better performance, nor better life choices. Interestingly enough, tending towards morningness is an indicator of better grades and a higher college GPA.
On a mental and emotional health spectrum, night owls might have the short end of the stick. A Psychologist Marina Giampietro concludes that night owls may be “less reliable, less emotionally stable and more apt to suffer from depression, addictions and eating disorders” Night owls are also more likely to drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes than larks.
What is really important is that we recognize ourselves on the lark-night owl spectrum and use that information to make better lifestyle and scheduling choices. If you’re an owl with a 9-5 job, increase your early morning light exposure to help reign in any tendency to stay up late and cheat yourself of sleep. Larks should use those early hours to make headway on any important projects or tasks before others come in, and avoid scheduling any late night plans that could interfere with their bedtime. By playing to our strengths–and minimizing our weaknesses–everyone can better harness their internal creativity and intelligence.
Related Content:
- How can I adjust my “night owl” schedule to that of an “early bird”?
- Why would using light in the morning help you fall asleep at night?
- Night Owl in an Early Bird World
- How to go from Night Owl to Early Bird in 1 Fell Swoop
Academic References:
Giampietro, M. and Cavallera, G.M. Morning and Evening types and creative thinking, Personality and Individual Differences, Vol 43, Issue 3, February 2007: 453-463
Roberts, R. and Patrick C. Kyllonenb, P. Morningness–eveningness and intelligence: early to bed, early to rise will likely make you anything but wise! Personality and individual differences, Vol 27, Issue 6, December 1999: 1123-1133
Randler, C., & Saliger, L. Relationship between morningness–eveningness and temperament and character dimensions in adolescents, Personality and Individual Differences, Vol 50, Issue 2, January 2011: 148-152
Schmidt et al., Homeostatic Sleep Pressure and Responses to Sustained Attention in the Suprachiasmatic Area, Science 24 April 2009:Vol. 324 no. 5926: 516-519
Wang, S. and Chern, J. The “Night Owl” Learning Style of Art Students: Creativity and Daily Rhythm. International Journal of Art & Design Education, Volume 27, Number 2, June 2008: 202-209
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