Why do some men seem to manage tensions within a relationship better than others, without ever raising their voice or exerting pressure? A team of American researchers is putting forward a delicate but very concrete path: thegeneral intelligence male would be linked to a lower frequency of abusive behavior towards the partner.
Published in the journal Personality and Individual Differencestheir study suggests that higher cognitive abilities go hand in hand with less insults, less sexual coercion, and fewer controlling tactics in heterosexual relationships. It remains to be understood how this link is expressed on a daily basis.
Male intelligence and violence in couples: what are the links?
Psychologists Gavin S. Vance, Tara DeLecce and Todd K. Shackelford from Oakland University analyzed data from 202 men, aged 18 to 65, in heterosexual couples for at least six months (with an average duration of 3.36 years), recruited via the Prolific platform and paid $10, or approximately €9, for their participation.We originally collected these data as part of a larger study investigating the relationship between men’s experience of erectile dysfunction and their behaviors in romantic relationships. But because we also collected data on intelligence, and because very little research has looked at possible links between intelligence and romantic relationship outcomes, we thought we had a unique opportunity to provide some initial insights into this potential link.“, Gavin S. Vance, author of the study, explained in an interview with PsyPost.
The researchers assessed general intelligence using a tool called ICAR (International Cognitive Ability Resource). This test is designed to measure different types of cognitive skills. It includes 16 items divided into four categories. Participants then answered questionnaires about their behavior towards their partner, their personality traits, their jealousy, their sexuality and their relational investment.
Less insults and control among smarter men
The results show that the higher the scoregeneral intelligence is high, the fewer men report toxic behaviors. The questionnaires covered:
- Insults directed towards the partner (devaluation, humiliating remarks);
- There sexual coercion (pressure to obtain a report against the will of the other);
- “Costly” partner retention tactics, such as surveillance or blaming.
Higher intelligence is also associated with less reliance on manipulation, fewer psychopathic traits, less erectile dysfunction and stronger commitment to the relationship, even when the man believes he has good alternatives.
The researcher, however, remains cautious about the social interpretation of these links. “Some other media outlets that have reported on this study (e.g. The Independent, Vice) use catchy headlines like ‘smart men make better boyfriends’, but I think that’s a bit misleading“, Gavin S. Vance told PsyPost. “We only found that men who scored higher on the ICAR used insults directed at their partner, sexual coercion, etc. less often, which I think is a very low bar for being a ‘good boyfriend’. For me, the main message is rather that more intelligent men may be better able to manage marital difficulties without resorting to physical, sexual or verbal aggression.“.
Do smart men make better boyfriends?
The interpretation proposed by the authors is that a man with better fluid intelligence processes information more quickly in conflict situations, controls his impulses more and finds a non-aggressive outcome more easily.
Bottom line: a man with less developed fluid intelligence might have difficulty handling a disagreement with his partner, which could make him more easily frustrated. This frustration could lead to inappropriate behavior such as insults or coercion. In contrast, a man with higher fluid intelligence would be better equipped to master his emotions and find constructive solutions.
The researchers, however, remain very cautious: “This was a correlational study, with a modest sample size, so the results should be interpreted with caution,” emphasizes Gavin S. Vance. “Our results may indicate that higher intelligence facilitates better outcomes in romantic relationships, but we currently have no evidence of a causal relationship.“. The study is based on the declarations of men only, which may underestimate domestic violence, and it only concerns heterosexual couples, leaving many questions open for future work.