Psychologists at the University of Waterloo in Canada recently conducted an experiment. The experiment found that people who often post inspiring quotes on social networking sites are more likely to believe in religion, conspiracy theories and supernatural phenomena, and believe in the abilities of extraordinary people. things, but their intelligence and cognitive levels are low.

As most of us know, there are people in our circle of friends who have been posting some high-sounding but actually meaningless chicken soup quotes.

But recent research has found that people who like inspirational quotes tend to have lower intelligence levels. They are more likely to believe in religion, the supernatural, or conspiracy theories. In an experimental study involving 845 people, psychologists examined whether certain people were more receptive to inspirational quotes. In the experiment, researchers presented participants with a series of quotes and asked them what they thought of the quotes and whether they agreed with the quotes. Such quotes include: Water drops penetrate stone, not because of strength, but because of persistence; An anxious person is a prisoner of themselves; Hidden meaning is a kind of unparalleled beauty.

Afterwards, the researchers asked the participants to take cognitive tests. They were also asked whether they agreed with religious, paranormal or conspiracy theories.

Gordon Pennycook, a psychologist at the University of Waterloo who led this study, said, "Although chicken soup essays are very common in daily life and often attract the attention of philosophers, how do people There has been no empirical investigation on this kind of inspirational soft articles. "

"Our survey results show that some people are more likely to accept such inspirational soft articles. People who like this kind of inspirational soft articles generally have poor reaction ability and poor recognition. People with low intellectual ability are more likely to accept religious, supernatural or conspiracy theories. ”