Beer Drinking: A Sign Of Intelligence Or Stupidity?

Drinking alcohol is often associated with impaired judgment and lowered inhibitions, which can lead to embarrassing or harmful situations. While alcohol consumption is a common social activity, it is important to consider its potential negative consequences. Research has shown that simply holding an alcoholic beverage, such as a beer, can cause others to perceive you as less intelligent and capable, an effect known as the imbibing idiot bias. This bias can even impact job prospects, as candidates who order alcoholic drinks during interviews or work dinners are viewed less favourably. Interestingly, studies suggest that intelligent people tend to drink more alcohol than less intelligent individuals, possibly due to their ability to handle it despite the negative consequences. However, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to health problems, addiction, and risky behaviours. While drinking alcohol is a personal choice, it is crucial to be aware of its potential impact on our lives and to make informed decisions.

Intelligent people drink more alcohol than stupid people

It turns out there may be some truth to the idea that intelligent people drink more alcohol than stupid people. A study published in Psychology Today found that smart people are more likely to binge drink and get drunk. This may be because drinking alcohol is an "evolutionarily novel" behaviour, meaning that it's not something our ancestors did, so the ability to handle it is an indication of higher intelligence.

The study also found that intelligent children in both the UK and the US grew up to consume more alcohol and drank more frequently than less intelligent children. This trend continued into adolescence, with the smartest preteens and teenagers drinking much more than their less intelligent peers. Interestingly, this had nothing to do with social standing or the fact that intelligent people tend to work in high-paying jobs which require networking. Instead, it was the intelligence itself that inclined them to drink more.

However, it's important to note that drinking alcohol is not inherently a sign of intelligence or stupidity. While intelligent people may be more likely to experiment with alcohol, it doesn't mean that drinking makes someone intelligent or that abstaining makes them stupid. Alcohol affects everyone differently, and there are many reasons why someone might choose not to drink, such as health, personal preference, or religious beliefs.

Additionally, while intelligent people may drink more alcohol, that doesn't mean they are immune to the negative effects of alcohol. Excessive drinking can lead to health problems, impaired judgment, and risky behaviour regardless of intelligence. It's important for everyone, regardless of intelligence, to drink responsibly and in moderation.

Furthermore, it's worth noting that the perception of alcohol can vary across different cultures and societies. While in some cultures drinking alcohol may be seen as a sign of sophistication or relaxation, in others it may be frowned upon or considered unhealthy. Ultimately, the decision to drink or not drink alcohol is a personal choice that should be respected.

Holding a beer makes you look less intelligent

The reason for this perception is what the study's authors, Scott Rick and Maurice Schweitzer, call the "imbibing idiot bias". We so closely associate drinking with idiocy that when we see someone holding a drink, we expect them to behave foolishly. This association is enduring and ubiquitous, as Rick and Schweitzer write: "The association between alcohol and cognitive impairment has been illustrated for millennia in literature, cinema, bars, and homes."

The study conducted five experiments to test this bias. In one, participants were shown photos of actors holding either a bottle of beer or a glass of water. The actors holding beer were rated as "significantly less intelligent" than those holding water, despite being rated as equally likeable. Another experiment tested the persuasiveness of a speech given by a man holding either a Coke can or a bottle of beer. The beer holder was deemed "significantly less persuasive" than the Coke holder.

The bias was also evident in a simulated recruiting dinner, where participants (playing the role of job candidates) were offered a glass of wine or Coke. Although the participants believed that ordering wine would make them seem smarter, the managers who played the role of interviewers perceived them as less intelligent.

So, if you want to avoid being perceived as less intelligent, it may be wise to refrain from holding an alcoholic drink, especially in professional settings. This perception is not limited to beer, but extends to all alcoholic beverages, including wine. While drinking in moderation can be enjoyable, it is important to be aware of the potential negative perceptions associated with it.

Alcohol impairs cognitive function

Alcohol does indeed impair cognitive function. Research has shown that heavy drinking is detrimental to brain function, with effects ranging from impaired memory (encoding and retrieval) to impaired executive function, and global cognition, and an increased risk of dementia.

The damage that alcohol can cause to the brain takes several forms. Firstly, neurotoxicity occurs when neurons overreact to neurotransmitters for too long, and eventually "burn out". As neurons make up the pathways between different parts of the brain, this burnout causes a noticeable slowing in the brain's reactions. Secondly, heavy alcohol use damages brain matter itself, causing "brain shrinkage", a reduction in volume of both grey matter (cell bodies) and white matter (cell pathways) over time. This loss of brain matter increases with age and the amount of alcohol consumed.

As alcohol affects a large portion of the brain, many different kinds of cognitive impairment can occur as a result of heavy drinking. These include problems with verbal fluency and verbal learning, processing speed, working memory, attention, problem-solving, spatial processing, and impulsivity. Parts of the brain relating to memory and "higher functions" (e.g. problem-solving and impulse control) are more susceptible to damage than other parts of the brain, so problems in these areas tend to be worse.

However, the data suggests that mild to moderate drinking (equal to or less than two drinks per day for men, or one per day for women) does not increase the risk of cognitive decline or dementia.

Drinking alcohol is an evolutionarily novel behaviour

According to the Savanna Principle, more intelligent individuals should be better equipped to handle novel situations than less intelligent individuals. This theory predicts that the frequency and volume of alcohol consumption would correlate with IQ. Indeed, research has found that intelligent people tend to drink more alcohol than less intelligent people. For example, studies have shown that "very bright" British children grow up to consume alcohol more frequently and in greater quantities than their "very dull" classmates. Similar results have been found for adults.

This correlation between intelligence and alcohol consumption may be explained by the fact that drinking alcohol is an evolutionarily novel behaviour. Intelligent individuals are better able to comprehend and deal with novel situations, and as alcohol consumption is a recent phenomenon, they are more at ease with it. This suggests that drinking alcohol is associated with a more satisfied lifestyle, which could be why smarter people tend to do it.

However, it is important to note that while intelligent people may drink more alcohol, this does not necessarily mean that they are making healthier choices. Binge drinking, for example, is associated with negative health outcomes regardless of intelligence.

Alcohol is linked to negative health outcomes

Alcohol is indeed linked to negative health outcomes. Excessive alcohol consumption is a necessary underlying cause for more than 30 conditions and a contributing factor to many more. These include infectious diseases, cancer, diabetes, neuropsychiatric diseases (including alcohol use disorders), cardiovascular disease, liver and pancreas disease, and unintentional and intentional injury.

The negative health outcomes associated with alcohol consumption can be grouped into several categories. Firstly, there are effects on the brain. Alcohol interferes with the brain's communication pathways, impacting mood, behaviour, clear thinking, and coordination. Secondly, alcohol affects the heart, and can cause cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and high blood pressure. Thirdly, heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver, leading to problems such as steatosis or fatty liver. Fourthly, alcohol impacts the pancreas, causing it to produce toxic substances that can lead to pancreatitis.

Additionally, alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, including those of the head and neck, esophagus, breast, and digestive tract. It also weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis. Furthermore, excessive drinking can lead to lapses in judgment, increasing the risk of risky behaviours such as drunk driving, unsafe sex, and drug use. Alcohol consumption is also associated with a higher risk of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and addiction, which can affect social relationships and employment.

It is important to note that the negative health outcomes of alcohol consumption are not limited to the drinker but can also impact their family, friends, coworkers, and employers. Furthermore, the social harm caused by alcohol consumption can result in family disruption, workplace issues, criminal convictions, and financial problems.

While moderate drinking may have some potential health benefits, such as a lower risk of certain types of stroke and cardiovascular disease, the overall evidence suggests that alcohol consumption is linked to a range of negative health outcomes.

Frequently asked questions