Intelligence, creativity, and innovation

This study provides the first test of the intelligence–innovation hypothesis, which contributes to the intelligence–creativity debate in the psychology literature and to the innovation–growth debate in the economics literature. Using U.S. state-level data the study finds that, net of other factors, high-IQ states are more innovative as measured by the important innovation outcome measure, utility patents registered. This study highlights the need for a better understanding of the relationship between intelligence, creative achievement, and innovation, a nascent and under-researched field of inquiry. Our research also begs the question of whether efforts to nurture intelligence are a necessary first step to increasing the capacity to realize innovation improvements.