This post examines findings from Chris Dawson’s research on the connection between cognitive ability and optimism bias in financial decision-making. Using data from over 36,000 individuals in the U.K., the study highlights how cognitive ability influences unrealistic optimism, particularly in financial expectations versus actual outcomes. Background Optimism bias refers to …
This review focuses on the work of Keuschnigg, van de Rijt, and Bol (2023), who explore the relationship between cognitive ability and success in high-income and high-prestige occupations. Their findings challenge the assumption that the highest earners consistently display exceptional cognitive ability, offering new insights into how social factors and …
The stereotype that blonde women are less intelligent than those with other hair colors has been pervasive in popular culture. Jay Zagorsky’s article, “Are Blondes Really Dumb?” (2016), investigates this claim using empirical data, offering a thorough analysis that challenges this long-held assumption. Background Zagorsky’s research utilizes data from the …
