Science

According to science, you may be more likely to gain respect and status by helping others

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 02/11/2026, 21:25:25 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 study led by Jonathan Egeland suggests humans gain more respect when intelligence aids others, published in Evolution and Human Behavior. The research indicates this social function of intelligence evolved to help others, though the exact evolutionary reasons remain unclear. The study provides additional evidence supporting the idea that intelligence serves a social function.

Key points

• Researchers led by Jonathan Egeland published additional evidence in Evolution and Human Behavior supporting the idea that intelligence serves a social function.
• Greater intelligence garners more respect only when applied to tasks that help others, according to the study.

Context

This study supports the prominent idea that intelligence evolved for social functions, specifically helping others. The findings were published in Evolution and Human Behavior in 2026.

Limitations

The study's findings are preliminary and not yet conclusive. The specific evolutionary reasons for intelligence's social function remain unknown, and the study does not provide definitive causal claims or long-term impact data.

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