Why flynn effect

For example, a study found that computer learning games played by fourth graders improved their math scores. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author. Daley et al. Kozma, ed. Sundet, D. Thus it appears that people in were a lot less smart than they are now, that is if you define intelligence in IQ scores.

How is that possible? According to the Flynn effect theory, the increase in IQ scores can in part be ascribed to improvements in education and better nutrition. In addition, people are reading more, and new technology - computers, Internet - forces people to think more abstractly. All of this leads to an increase in the IQ score. In the meantime however, there have been studies that indicate the Flynn effect may have ended.

The chapter on the Flynn Effect Chapter 6 is among the best in the book. Flynn, J. The mean IQ of Americans: Massive gains to Psychological Bulletin, 95 , Wechsler intelligence tests: Do we really have a criterion of mental retardation?

American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 90 , Psychological Bulletin, , Asian Americans: Achievement beyond IQ. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. IQ gains over time. Sternberg Ed. New York: Macmillan. Searching for justice: The discovery of IQ gains over time. American Psychologist, 54 , Of Flynn's numerous publications on his intelligence work, the and papers provide good summaries of his positions on the Flynn Effect.

The article contains greater elaboration on his opinions regarding social justice than is found in the other publications. Readers interested in Flynn's methodology should consult the and articles. Jensen, A. Rising IQ without increasing g? Development Review, 9 , Lynn, R. Bulletin of the British Psychological Society, 40 , Neisser, U. The rising curve. Researchers studying this effect have found wide support for this phenomenon.

One research paper, published by psychologist Lisa Trahan and her colleagues, combined the results of other published studies which included a total of over 14, participants and found that IQ scores have indeed increased since the s.

Although researchers have documented some exceptions , IQ scores have generally increased over time. Researchers have put forward several theories to explain the Flynn effect. One explanation has to do with improvements in health and nutrition.

For example, the past century has seen a decrease in smoking and alcohol use in pregnancy, discontinuation of the use of harmful lead paint, improvements in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases , and improvements in nutrition.

Another explanation for the Flynn effect has to do with societal changes that have occurred in the past century as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Several ideas have been put forward to explain why modern society might lead to higher scores on IQ tests. For example, today, many more of us have demanding, intellectually rigorous jobs. Schools have also changed: whereas a test at school in the early s might have been more focused on memorization, a recent test might be more likely to focus on explaining the reasons for something.

Additionally, more people today are likely to finish high school and go on to college. Family sizes tend to be smaller , and it has been suggested that this may allow children to pick up on new vocabulary words while interacting with their parents.

Trying to understand and anticipate plot points in a favorite book or TV drama may actually be making us smarter.