The relationship between cognitive ability and political ideology has been a focus of research for several years. A recent meta-analysis encompassing 20 studies with over 46,000 participants found a small positive association between cognitive ability and economic conservatism, with a weighted mean effect size of r = 0.07. This suggests that individuals with higher cognitive abilities may be slightly more inclined to hold conservative economic views, although the correlation is weak and highlights that cognitive ability is only one of many factors influencing political beliefs.

The meta-analysis included a total sample size of 46,426 participants and specifically examined the relationship between objective measures of cognitive ability and economic ideology. The researchers noted significant heterogeneity in effect sizes across studies, indicating variation in the strength and direction of the relationship. Additionally, a complementary analysis of survey data involving 3,375 participants supported both a positive association mediated through income and a negative association mediated through a higher need for certainty.

In contrast to economic conservatism, research indicates that lower cognitive abilities are more consistently linked to socially conservative political views. Meta-analyses have shown negative correlations between cognitive ability and social conservatism or authoritarianism, suggesting that individuals with lower cognitive abilities may be more likely to adopt socially conservative stances. Right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) demonstrates a particularly strong negative correlation with cognitive ability measures, including numeracy tests, indicating that individuals scoring lower on cognitive ability tests may be more inclined to endorse authoritarian views.

The relationship between cognitive ability and social dominance orientation (SDO) is less clear, with some studies reporting weak negative correlations while others find no significant relationship. This inconsistency suggests that the relationship between cognitive ability and SDO may be influenced by various factors, complicating definitive conclusions.

The connection between cognitive ability and economic conservatism is also inconsistent. While some studies suggest a positive correlation, others find no significant relationship, underscoring the complexity of political beliefs and the multitude of factors that shape an individual's economic ideology. Mediating factors play a role in this relationship; for instance, higher cognitive ability may correlate with economic conservatism through increased income, but it could also relate to economic liberalism due to a decreased need for certainty.

It is important to note that correlation does not imply causation, and individual beliefs are shaped by a variety of factors, including personal experiences, cultural background, and social environment. Recent studies have also revealed intriguing correlations between political ideologies and cultural preferences, such as dog ownership and music choices, further illustrating the diverse influences on political beliefs.