The ancestor effect: Thinking about our genetic origin enhances intellectual performance

Abstract

The present research hypothesizes that thinking about one's genetic origin (i.e. ancestors) provides people with a positive psychological resource that increases their intellectual performance. To test this line of reasoning, we manipulated whether participants thought about their ancestors or not (manipulation of ancestor salience), and measured their expected as well as actual intellectual performance in a variety of intelligence tasks. Four studies supported our assumptions: participants show higher expected (Study 1) and actual intellectual performance (Studies 2-4) when they are reminded about their ancestors. We also have initial evidence that this effect may be fuelled by increased levels of perceived control and promotion orientation. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.It is certainly desirable to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors. (Plutarch 46-120 AD).

Assessing a Happiness and Wellbeing Course in the United Arab Emirates: It is What They Want, but is it What They Need?

“…1. Family legacy (Fischer et al, 2010); think of your parents, grandparents, and relatives. What character strengths did they show over time?…”

Self‐transcendence as a psychological parenthood motive: When mortality salience increases the desire for non‐biological children

“…Additionally, studies by Cox et al (2008) revealed that thoughts about one's own parents reduce existential anxiety, and Sani et al (2009) showed that MS leads to an exaggeration of collective continuity, extending evidence for the buffering function of a transgenerational self to ancestors who might be incorporated in the transgenerational self together with their descendants. Furthermore, results by Fischer, Sauer, Vogrincic, and Weisweiler (2011) show that thinking about one's genetic origin increases people's intellectual performance, suggesting ancestor awareness to serve as a psychological resource.…”

History as a Resource: Effects of Narrative Constructions of Group History on Intellectual Performance

“…In support, Nelson and Knight () showed that when college students wrote about a personal memory of success, they did better on an academic test compared to a control group. Going beyond personal memories, some researchers found that when participants think about their ancestors before taking an intelligence test, they improve their test performance (Fischer, Sauer, Vogrincic, & Weismiller, ). Wang () suggested that collective memories, that is, shared memories about a group's past, may serve a similar directive function for group members where they may reflect upon past victories to ensure they continue, or learn from past mistakes.…”