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Men who could solve puzzles in study were less likely to report jealousy and expressed greater commitment to their relationships
Holly EvansTuesday 02 December 2025 11:02 GMTComments
open image in galleryMen with a particular strain of intelligence tend to be linked to a healthier romantic life (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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Intelligent men may be more likely to remain faithful to their partners, due to their problem-solving and pattern-spotting abilities, a new study suggests.
While not exactly the most romantic of sentiments, analysis has shown that the steadiest boyfriends are more likely to be able to unpick patterns in sequences of numbers and letters.
The findings come from a new study conducted by Oakland University, which analysed 202 heterosexual men who had each been in a relationship for at least six months.
Researchers found that men who had a particular strain of intelligence and scored higher on specific tests often led a healthier romantic life and expressed greater commitment to their partners.
They were also found to be less likely to display jealousy, insult their partners and resort to “mate-retention” tactics, controlling behaviours that make it costly for a lover to leave the relationship.
open image in galleryThe study found that men who scored higher on the tests were less likely to display jealousy and insult their partners (Getty/iStock)It was found that these men tended to be less tempted by risk-taking outside of their relationship, and were less likely to report erectile disfunction problems and fewer psychopathic tendencies.
While the authors of the research have been careful not to oversell the results, given that it did not measure cheating directly, it suggests that men of a particular intelligence have a psychological profile more compatible with remaining faithful.
Led by the data analyst and social scientist Gavin Vance, the study has been published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, with the team behind it suggesting the results are worth following up with further analysis.
They have stressed that the findings of the report are modest and cannot prove cause and effect, with the results relying on what the men said about their own behaviour.
A similar study published earlier this year by the University of Sydney similarly found that that couples in which male partners exhibit high emotional intelligence experience greater satisfaction, deeper trust and better conflict resolution.
In the murky world of online dating and appearance-based apps, this could be an indication that intelligence could be the way forward to a happy, healthy relationship.
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