The age-old debate between early birds and night owls has been reignited by recent scientific studies. While US work culture traditionally favours the early riser, many night owls have long consoled themselves with the belief that they are more intelligent and creative. But what does the science actually say?
Your preferred bedtime is largely hardwired by your chronotype—your natural circadian preference. According to sleep researcher Kristen Knutson, this internal biological clock controls alertness, sleep, and hormone levels. While difficult to change fundamentally, chronotypes shift with age: teenagers tend towards later bedtimes, but as people grow older, they naturally drift earlier. Genetics also play a role, with children often inheriting their parents' chronotype.
Several studies have suggested advantages for night owls. A 2007 study found a correlation between evening preference and creativity in visual tasks. A 2009 study by Satoshi Kanazawa linked higher intelligence to staying up late, proposing it may be 'evolutionarily novel'. More recently, a 2024 Imperial College London study of over 26,000 people indicated that night owls have 'superior cognitive function' compared to early birds.
However, experts urge caution. Hans Van Dongen of Washington State University notes that such studies have limitations, pointing out that the 2009 analysis could not rule out that adolescents' bedtime choices were influenced by other factors. While the headlines are compelling, definitive links between chronotype and traits like intelligence or creativity remain unproven.
