Do Historians Have High IQs? The Research Says… It’s Complicated
Okay, let’s be honest. When you think of a historian, do you picture someone meticulously poring over dusty tomes, a brilliant mind dissecting the past? It’s a common image, and it’s fueled a long-standing debate: do historians actually have higher IQs than the average person? The short answer? It’s not a simple yes or no. The research is surprisingly nuanced, and it reveals a fascinating picture of the skills and cognitive traits that do tend to be associated with historical study.
The Initial Hypothesis: Intelligence and Historical Understanding
The idea that historians are exceptionally intelligent started way back in the 1920s. Robert Sternberg, a psychologist, conducted a landmark study at Clark University. He administered the Army Alpha intelligence test to a group of historians, journalists, lawyers, and doctors. The results? Historians scored significantly higher than all the other groups – an average of 117.8 compared to the other professions’ averages of around 104. This study became hugely influential, cementing the stereotype of the “historian genius.”
But Wait, There’s More: Re-evaluating Sternberg’s Work
However, decades later, researchers began to question the validity of Sternberg’s findings. Critics pointed out several significant flaws:
- The Army Alpha Test Isn’t Ideal: The Army Alpha test, designed for military aptitude, primarily assesses verbal and numerical reasoning – skills that are useful for historians, but not necessarily defining of their profession. It doesn’t measure critical thinking, empathy, or the ability to synthesize complex narratives.
- Selection Bias: The original study only included a relatively small group of historians, and they were all highly accomplished and established professionals. This creates a selection bias – the people who chose to be historians were already likely intelligent and driven. It’s like asking if marathon runners are taller than average; you’ll find a correlation, but it doesn’t mean running a marathon causes height.
- Lack of a Control Group: Sternberg didn’t compare the historians to a truly representative group of the general population.
More Recent Research: A Different Picture
More recent studies have attempted to address these criticisms. Here’s what the newer research suggests:
- The Cognitive Profile of Historians: A 2013 study published in Intelligence by researchers at the University of Sussex looked at the cognitive profiles of historians and other professions. They used the Cognitive Profile Test (CPT), which assesses a broader range of cognitive abilities, including verbal comprehension, numerical reasoning, spatial reasoning, and abstract thinking. The results showed that historians scored significantly higher in verbal comprehension and abstract reasoning than lawyers, journalists, and accountants.
- Verbal Comprehension is Key: This is crucial. Historians spend their careers interpreting written sources – documents, letters, diaries, speeches – all of which require a deep understanding of language, context, and nuance. Strong verbal comprehension is arguably the most important skill for a historian.
- Spatial Reasoning – Surprisingly Low: Interestingly, historians scored lower than lawyers and journalists in spatial reasoning. This might seem counterintuitive, but historians rarely deal with maps or visual representations of the past.
- Emotional Intelligence Matters: A 2018 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that historians consistently scored higher in emotional intelligence (EQ) than other professions. This isn’t about being overly sentimental; it’s about the ability to understand and empathize with people from different times and cultures – a vital skill for interpreting historical events and motivations.
Beyond IQ: The Skills of a Historian
It’s important to remember that IQ is just one measure of intelligence. Being a good historian requires a whole host of skills that aren’t necessarily reflected in a single IQ score:
- Critical Thinking: Historians constantly question sources, analyze evidence, and evaluate different interpretations.
- Research Skills: Locating, evaluating, and synthesizing information from a vast array of sources is paramount.
- Narrative Construction: Turning raw data into a coherent and compelling story is a core skill.
- Contextual Understanding: Placing events within their historical, social, and cultural context is essential.
- Empathy & Perspective-Taking: Trying to understand the world through the eyes of people who lived in the past.
Examples of Historians and Their Approaches
Let’s look at some examples:
- E.P. Thompson: A Marxist historian known for his "history from below," Thompson meticulously researched working-class life in 18th-century England, demonstrating incredible empathy and a deep understanding of social dynamics.
- Simon Schama: Schama’s work, like The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, is renowned for its vivid storytelling and ability to bring the past to life. His success highlights the importance of narrative skills alongside rigorous research.
- David McCullough: McCullough’s biographies, like John Adams, are celebrated for their accessible prose and ability to connect with readers on an emotional level.
The Bottom Line
So, do historians have high IQs? The answer is complicated. Sternberg’s initial findings were flawed, but more recent research suggests that historians tend to excel in verbal comprehension and abstract reasoning – skills directly related to their profession. However, it’s crucial to recognize that being a good historian requires a broader range of cognitive and emotional skills than just a high IQ. It’s about a unique blend of intellectual curiosity