Are you a loner? Congratulations, you're probably a genius (according to science)

No wonder Albert Einstein looked such a loon – he didn’t have any mates telling him his hair was shit.

Or at least that’s what a new study would have us believe.

While it is proven that the majority of individuals are made happier through contact with friends, a British Journal of Psychology paper has found that people with high IQs experience less life satisfaction when socialising.

By analysing the responses of more than 15,000 individuals aged 18 to 28, the data revealed that being around dense crowds of people usually makes people feel glum, whereas hanging out with your friends will usually result in happiness. 

Unless, of course, you’re a brainiac.

The paper’s researchers Norman Li and Satoshi Kanazawa explain the results with the ‘Savanna principle’, which notes how different the modern world is compared to the Pleistocene (Ice Age) era.

Apparently, our feelings of satisfaction are not purely linked to the present, but influenced also by how our forefathers might’ve reacted, too.

So while the majority of us simpletons seek out friendship – something that’s perfectly natural for humans – smart alecs, not so much.

“In general, more intelligent individuals are more likely to have ‘unnatural’ preferences and values that our ancestors did not have,” Kanazawa told Inverse.

“It is extremely natural for species like humans to seek and desire friendships and, as a result, more intelligent individuals are likely to seek them less.”

Right then – which are you: thick and friendly? Or bright but forever alone?

(Pic: All Star)