Why do highly intelligent people tend to be more interested in the hard sciences versus the humanities?

  1. The proportions of smart people with a strength in the STEM subjects are higher than those with equal talents or verbal strengths. It’s about 50% of gifted people who have a math tilt, 25% who have a verbal tilt, and 25% who have a flat profile.
  2. Many smart people analyze job markets and earning potential if they are taking out large loans. STEM jobs are more readily available and pay more. Thus, those with strengths in math tend to go into STEM. That’s a large chunk of the 75% who have strong math ability.