The Savanna Theory of Happiness

I came across this Instagram reel (available here) recently and I'm finding it fascinating to think about and explore as a topic. If you Google this theory, there's many different descriptions of the arguments and and conclusions of the study that came up with this idea at LSE. So in this post, I'll narrow my focus to just the idea that people with a high IQ are happier thinking in solitude compared to those with a lower IQ because the high IQ people are capable of releasing dopamine whilst in their own company and enjoy thinking deeply. Whereas those with a lower IQ rely on socialising for their dopamine rush. Hence, we shouldn't negatively label those who sometimes choose solitude over regularly going to a social for hours. They're not suffering from social anxiety or anything else, they're just wired in such a way that they're capable of equally enjoying themselves when reading alone. 

In this post, I shall not be addressing other aspects of this study and theory, for instance, the implications of this theory for racial and social diversity or city life. I'm not sure if the conclusions that the study tries to reach are acceptable or even correct. 

The Savanna Theory of Happiness is true up to a point. Everyone needs to socialise, irrespective of their IQ. However, it's also true that some need it more than others for life satisfaction, because they're more reliant on it for their dopamine rush. 

I agree that obsessively running around trying to conform to a particular 'tribe', rely on them, do things their way, not think for yourself, always anxious to be seen with the 'right' crowd, actively involved in the latest 'hobby horse' or trend doesn't work for people with a high IQ. 

That doesn't mean those with a high IQ are less sociable. Indeed, they may well be more sociable because they don't need the dopamine rush so they're more present and connect with people when they do socialise.  

Those who need a 'good' time are less sociable because they're doing it just for a dopamine rush. In that sense, they're selfish. 

And what does having a 'good time' mean anyway? I think having a good time is thinking and reading and suddenly hitting on an idea. For me, that's exciting! And, furthermore, it motivates the brain to generate more ideas which, in turn, 'upps' the IQ. 

Others will think that's a crashing bore. They would rather party or go down to the pub. Both are valid. 

Those of us with a high IQ need to be alone to think and have ideas. That's all the dopamine we need. When we're ready we like to share our ideas with others. We're not all the same! Whatever floats your boat! It's not elitist. It's just the way an individual is wired. It's a positive trait. Don't twist it around and try to make it into a negative that it isn't. 

As they say, great ideas don't come from partying or networking or spending too much time with 'friends'. 

Great ideas come from thinking on your own and being selective about what you attend or with whom you choose to spend your time. It's one thing to go to an academic event that can inspire new ideas. That's a world away from networking or a drink down the pub which attracts those with a lower IQ. 

There's nothing wrong with having a lower IQ or going down the pub just don't superimpose what suits you and gives you a dopamine rush on to those with a higher IQ who can generate their own dopamine, otherwise you'll misunderstand them.

Universities can be like that. All lecturers don't possess a high IQ. And don't understand those who do, whether they're colleagues or students. So some male tutors/lecturers can pressure you to party, failing to understand that you're not the type, not because you don't enjoy people's company but because you enjoy thinking freely on your own and having ideas. That does it for you. There's a terrible tendency to lump all students together as a homogeneous group. Students are a very diverse group. Hence, inclusivity is important. 

This means that not everyone thrives on group projects because it may not reflect the way they go about thinking and having ideas. Group projects appeal to and favour those with a lower IQ because they need the dopamine that a group gives them. If they had to do the project alone there'd be unhappy because their dopamine would be too low. 

I discovered that at uni I was always actively involved in small group tutorials and discussions because I could get excited just thinking about the topic whereas my mates were 'flat' and passive. This was not because they were stupid or hadn't done the reading they just weren't getting their dopamine rush to activate. 

Hence, small group tutorials don't favour any student. A high IQ student needs one-to-one tutorials whereas those with a lower IQ need a larger group to get their engine started but not as large as a full lecture theatre.