Rejection massively reduces IQ

Rejection Massively reduces IQ

From New Scientist Magazine 15-March-2002

"Rejection can dramatically reduce a person's IQ and their ability to reason analytically, while increasing their aggression, according to new research.

"It's been known for a long time that rejected kids tend to be more violent and aggressive," says Roy Baumeister of the Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, who led the work. "But we've found that randomly assigning students to rejection experiences can lower their IQ scores and make them aggressive."

Baumeister's team used two separate procedures to investigate the effects of rejection. In the first, a group of strangers met, got to know each other, and then separated. Each individual was asked to list which two other people they would like to work with on a task. They were then told they had been chosen by none or all of the others." (more at New Scientist)

Dr. Baumeister's large body of work supports connections between positive self esteem and abilities. That is, we do better when we feel better, or we are more successful when we feel joy.