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 US. 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. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.