High sensitivity, also known as sensory processing sensitivity, refers to a personality trait characterized by a deeper cognitive processing of physical, emotional and social stimuli. Highly sensitive people tend to be more aware of subtleties in their environment and have a stronger response to external factors. This Increased sensitivity Is believed to be rooted in biological differences, such as a more reactive nervous system. Approximately 15-20% of the population is estimated to have high sensory processing sensitivity.
High intelligence or general cognitive ability refers to the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience. Some key qualities of intelligent people include good memory, quick learning, ability to adapt to new situations and capacity for understanding. Intelligence is shaped by both genetic and environmental factors.
There has been ongoing debate around whether highly sensitive people tend to be more intelligent on average. Some argue that their rich inner life, tendency for deeper Information processing and awareness of nuances may contribute to Intellectual gifts. However, others argue that there Is little evidence that sensitivity translates directly to intelligence.
This article will explore the current research surrounding sensitivity and intelligence and discuss some of the key considerations around this complex relationship.
Do Highly Sensitive People Have Higher IQs?
Some early studies did find a modest correlation between sensory processing sensitivity and intelligence when measured by IQ tests.
For example, a 2014 study by Belojevic and colleagues measured sensory processing sensitivity using the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) in a group of 88 adults. They also measured intelligence using a standard IQ test. They found a small but statistically significant correlation of .22 between HSPS scores and IQ.
A 2021 study by Chen and colleagues also assessed sensory processing sensitivity and administered an IQ test to a group of 160 adults. They too found a modest positive association between sensitivity and IQ.
However, a meta-analysis by Davis et al. looking at multiple studies found only a very weak correlation of .05 between sensitivity and IQ. The authors note that this indicates high sensitivity is largely independent of intelligence.
Overall, the research indicates there is little to no practical link between how highly sensitive a person Is and their actual IQ. Highly sensitive people may score slightly higher on IQ tests on average, but the correlation Is small. There are many highly intelligent people who are not highly sensitive, and highly sensitive people with average and even low IQs.
Are Sensitive People More Reflective and Insightful?
Even if sensitivity doesn’t directly translate to higher IQ, some research suggests sensitive individuals tend to process Information In a deeper, more complex way that may facilitate some cognitive strengths.
For example, a 2012 study by Jagiellowicz and colleagues used functional MRI scans to compare the brain activity of highly sensitive individuals and less sensitive controls while performing a task that involved attending to visual details. They found sensitive people had Increased activity In regions of the brain related to visual and attentional control, indicative of more nuanced perceptual processing.
Additional studies have found that highly sensitive people tend to score higher on tests of emotional intelligence, reflecting abilities like understanding subtle emotions In others. Sensitive people also appear to have a more complex Inner thought life.
These types of findings have led some psychologists to theorize that sensitive Individuals are “cognitively empathic” – they process and reflect on both their own and others’ emotions and experiences In a deeper, more complex way. Although this doesn’t directly translate to a higher IQ, It contributes to Insights and reflective thinking abilities.
Do Sensitive People Have Certain Cognitive Strengths and Weaknesses?
There is some evidence that highly sensitive people tend to excel In certain cognitive domains, but also demonstrate relative weaknesses in other areas.
For example, a 2016 study by Evans and Rothbart looked at performance on a battery of cognitive tests in sensitive versus non-sensitive 5-year-old children. They found the sensitive children performed significantly better on tests involving working memory and orienting attention. However, they scored lower on tests involving inhibiting impulses and shifting attention.
The authors suggest sensitive individuals may have cognitive strengths related to perception and thought, but relative weaknesses when It comes to focusing attention and executive function.
A 2019 study by Chen et al. found similar results in sensitive versus non-sensitive adults using a comprehensive set of cognitive assessments. The sensitive group performed better on tests of short-term memory storage and processing speed. However, they scored lower on tests measuring selective attention.
Overall, research indicates sensory sensitivity may facilitate specific cognitive gifts, while also presenting some cognitive challenges. Just like non-sensitive people, sensitive individuals likely have a distinct cognitive profile with both strengths and limitations.
Are Highly Sensitive People More Introspective?
Many psychologists have noted that highly sensitive people tend to have a rich Inner life. They seem to spend more time engaged In introspection and ruminating on past experiences.
For example, a 2012 study by Bridges and Schendan found highly sensitive people took longer to respond to questions assessing their personal preferences, consistent with deeper reflection before answering.
Studies using fMRI neuroimaging have also revealed increased brain activity in the default mode network of highly sensitive Individuals – a neural system associated with inwardly focused thinking and metacognition.
This introspective tendency likely contributes to sensitive people’s complex Inner worlds and emotional experiences. However, rumination isn’t directly linked to intelligence and deep introspection can sometimes Impair emotional regulation and decision making. Overall, While sensitive people may have robust Inward thinking skills, this doesn’t necessarily mean Superior intelligence.
Do Highly Sensitive People Have More Creative Abilities?
Some research indicates highly sensitive people tend to be more creative and artistic, perhaps due to their rich Inner life or ability to process sensory details more thoroughly.
For example, a 2016 study by Boterberg and Warreyn surveyed over 1500 adults and found a significant association between sensory sensitivity and creative thinking abilities. Sensitive people also scored higher on artistic hobbies and careers.
However, other studies have failed to find a direct link between creativity and sensory processing sensitivity using rigorous creativity assessments. And there are certainly many highly creative and artistic people who do not Identify as highly sensitive.
Overall, while sensitive Individuals may gravitate towards creative pursuits, sensitivity does not consistently predict superior creative abilities on cognitive testing. More research is needed to understand If sensitivity facilitates certain facets of creativity while hindering others.
Do Sensitive People Have Higher Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to identify, understand and regulate emotions In oneself and others. There Is quite consistent evidence that highly sensitive people score higher on tests of emotional Intelligence, likely due to their Increased empathy, awareness of subtleties, and emotional reflectiveness.
For example, a 2012 study by Smith et al. found highly sensitive people scored significantly higher on the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, a standardized and comprehensive measurement of emotional intelligence.
Other studies using self-report assessments have found similar elevations in sensitive Individuals’ perceived emotional Intelligence and emotional awareness.
However, emotional intelligence is considered distinct from general Intelligence and IQ. While Increased emotional insight may facilitate sensitive people’s Interpersonal and Intrapersonal skills, It does not necessarily make them more “Intelligent” overall.
Do Sensitive People Have a More Analytical Thinking Style?
Highly sensitive people do appear to process Information more thoroughly and have a tendency for deeper reflection. However, this doesn’t necessarily equate to a more Analytical thinking style.
In fact, some research suggests highly sensitive people are not more likely to have traits like curiosity, Numeracy and need for cognition that characterize a highly analytical thinking style.
For example, a 2016 study by Evans and Rothbart found no differences between sensitive and non-sensitive 5-year-olds on measures of curiosity and analytic thinking.
A 2014 study also found that while sensitive people reported more reflective rumination overall, they did not score higher on metrics of need for cognition and curiosity. The authors conclude that “the tendency of HSPS to engage in deeper cognitive processing may be more domain specific than an overall ‘analytical thinking style.'”
So while sensitive Individuals may deeply analyze emotions, social dynamics and sensory details, they do not necessarily have a stronger Interest In analyzing concepts, data and abstract Information. Their reflective nature is primarily Interpersonal, Intrapersonal and perceptual rather than Intellectual.
Are Sensitive People More Prone to Anxiety and Depressive Thinking Patterns?
While deep cognitive processing can have benefits, research also Indicates highly sensitive people are more prone to certain thought patterns linked to anxiety and depression, such as catastrophizing and rumination about threats or failures.
For example, a 2018 study by Bridges and Schendan found sensitive people were more likely to catastrophize in response to stress. Other studies have connected sensitivity to Increased worry, apprehension, and tendency to ruminate.
These negative thought patterns likely reflect sensitive Individuals’ Increased vulnerability to overload and emotional reactivity. While reflective thinking has advantages, anxiety-related thought processes can certainly Impair objectivity, concentration, planning and problem solving abilities.
So the Increased rumination often seen in highly sensitive people has potential drawbacks as well as benefits when It comes to optimal thinking skills.
Conclusion
Research to date suggests there is likely a complex, nuanced relationship between sensory processing sensitivity and intelligence:
– High sensitivity Is only weakly correlated with IQ and does not directly predict general intelligence.
– However, sensitive Individuals do appear to process Information more thoroughly, have Increased emotional Insight, and tend towards deeper reflection.
– Highly sensitive people may excel in certain cognitive domains like working memory and stimulus perception, while scoring lower on tasks involving executive function like selective attention.
– Personality traits common in highly sensitive people like Introspection and emotional intelligence don’t directly translate to higher overall intelligence.
– While deep cognitive processing can enhance reflective capacities, It can also Increase vulnerability to unhelpful thought patterns.
Overall, It seems sensitivity Is best viewed as an Independent personality trait that interacts with cognition in complex ways. While It can facilitate useful reflective abilities, Sensitivity does not consistently predict Higher intelligence or superior thinking capacities across domains. As with any trait, sensitivity likely has both cognitive trade-offs and advantages. More research is still needed to understand the nuances of how sensitivity shapes and Interacts with people’s overall cognitive profile.