Walk around naked at home? Do you swear? Turns out, you’re probably pretty smart!

Intelligent people are more likely to swear and walk around naked at home, according to a new study.

Quizzing about 1,000 people on 400 typical behaviors, researchers at the University of Rochester found that extroverts are prone to telling dirty jokes, while those with agreeable personalities are more likely to sing in the shower.

During the study, participants were asked if they performed each of the 400 behaviors, and how often. The results were then compared with their own personalities, with the aim being to identify signature behaviors for each of the main personality types.

The findings, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, revealed each personality had its own unique behaviors. People with higher intellects were more likely to curse, eat spicy breakfasts and lounge around the house naked, while extroverts were more likely to drive cars faster that 75 mph, gamble, and go to their local bar.

Agreeable people had behaviors that benefited others and conscientious people were focused on avoiding irresponsible behaviors.

These studies are interesting but probably not very revealing. Researchers are often trying to find correlations to predict human behavior. The trouble here is that they had to rely upon “self-report” from the participants. I’m a pretty smart guy but I don’t lounge around the house without any clothes on. But I DO cuss a lot. And I drive a LOT faster than 75 mph. So, then, what does that predict?

I don’t know, but the study was interesting nonetheless.

About Dr Joseph Russo

Born and raised in Woodland Hills, California; now residing in Laramie, Wyoming (or "Laradise" as we call it, for good reason), with my wife Cindy, our little schnauzer, Macy Mae, and a cat named Markie. I hold a BBA from Cal State Northridge and an MBA from the University of Nevada at Reno. My first career was in business, for some 25+ years. In 2007, I shifted gears and entered the helping professions as a mental health counselor. I earned an MA in Educational Psychology and a Doctorate (PhD) in Counselor Education and Supervision. In my spare time I enjoy mentoring young and not-so-young business and non-profit executives as they go about growing their businesses and presence. I also teach part-time at the University of Wyoming, in both the Colleges of Education and Business.
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