VCU Study Identifies Relationship between Intelligence and Body Symmetry

RICHMOND, Va. (June 24, 2010) – Intelligent people are slightly more symmetrical than their counterparts, according to a new Virginia Commonwealth University study published online for the journal, “Intelligence.”

The study, “Smarter People are (a bit) More Symmetrical: A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Intelligence and Fluctuating Asymmetry,” summarized empirically 14 past studies that included 1,871 people. Estimates of the correlation between intelligence and body symmetry ranged from .12 to .20, indicating that intelligent people were slightly more symmetrical than less intelligent people on average. Authors of the study are George Banks and John Batchelor, who are doctoral candidates in management in the VCU School of Business, and Michael McDaniel, Ph.D., professor of management at VCU.

“So far cognitive ability has been demonstrated to be the best predictor of job performance,” Banks said. “This article provides evidence for one potential cause of differences in individual intelligence.

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Intelligence is an important predictor of health and mortality, and research suggests that intelligence may be part of a general fitness factor that increases reproductive success and general survival. If this is the case, the VCU researchers reasoned, a relationship should exist between intelligence and other reliable indicators of fitness such as body symmetry. Body symmetry is measured by comparing the left and right side of the body in the lengths and width of bilateral body parts such as fingers, toes, hands and feet.

The full article of “Smarter People are (a bit) more symmetrical: A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Intelligence and Fluctuating Asymmetry” is available from the Intelligence homepage at Elsevier’s ScienceDirect or by contacting Tom Gresham, VCU Communications & Public Relations, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 804-828-6051.

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Editor's Note:

This article bothers me on many levels.

First, the claim that asymmetrical people aren't as intelligent seems too significant to assert simply based on one study by two doctoral candidates in management and one professor of management!

Second, there's no mention made of attempts to determine cause and effect. If there is a correlation, perhaps smart and not-so-smart people act differently in a way that maintains or reduces symmetry. In addition, was this a longitudinal study that examined children as well?

Third, I have read that cognitive ability is not the best predictor of job performance, that emotional and social skills are also essential.

Next thing you know, they'll be resurrecting books on phrenology!

If you want to weigh in on this, visit my Facebook page or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Annie Tobey

P.S. You'll know me next time you see me by my one arm that hangs to my knee...!