Intelligence as a Powerful Catalyst of Job Performance: Evidence from Highly Educated Workers

This investigation tested the hypothesis that psychometric intelligence, as measured by IQ tests, is relevant for job performance in Brazil, particularly for more skilled occupations. Thus, a hypothetical-deductive, cross- sectional study was conducted among 134 Brazilian adult workers with a higher education degree or higher, using brief measures of IQ, personality, and leadership traits, as well as a sociodemographic and work-life questionnaire. Statistical analyses using the Canonic Test, Spearman’s Correlation, and Logit Regression indicated that intelligence was positively correlated with self-rated job performance (rho = .17), with individuals scoring 111+ showing a substantially higher likelihood of above-par performance in more qualified positions (71.7% vs. 41.7%). At this higher level of intelligence, duration of employment also showed stronger associations with job position (rho = .40 vs. .08) and income (rho = .53 vs. .40). After controlling for personality, workload, and quality of working life, IQ remained the strongest independent predictor of above-par performance (OR = 8.774). Overall, the findings suggest that, among workers with higher education, intelligence constitutes a highly significant and independent component of workplace performance and occupational success.