The Flynn Effect: What's Behind Rising IQ Scores?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are IQ Tests Used For?IQ Tests Have Proven to Be ProblematicWhat Exactly Did James Flynn Discover?What Causes the Flynn Effect?How Does the Flynn Effect Impact Society?A Newer Phenomenon—The Reverse Flynn EffectCan We Rely on IQ Tests?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Are IQ Tests Used For?

IQ Tests Have Proven to Be Problematic

What Exactly Did James Flynn Discover?

What Causes the Flynn Effect?

How Does the Flynn Effect Impact Society?

A Newer Phenomenon—The Reverse Flynn Effect

Can We Rely on IQ Tests?

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Standing for intelligence quotient, anIQ testis a tool that measures one’s ability to reason and use logic to solve problems and answer questions. Basically, it’s a test that measures intelligence.

People’s Average IQ Increases Over Time

This article will unpack the Flynn Effect, its background, and why it is important to our current society. It will also cover the reverse Flynn Effect, its potential causes, and why we should be wary of placing too much weight on IQ tests in general.

The 1979Larry P. v. Riles’court case explored racial bias among intelligence tests. This court case found that the use of IQ tests was used as a tool ofdiscriminationto place African-Americans in special education classrooms. As a result, the use of IQ tests to place African-American children in special education classes was banned.

Furthermore, IQ tests can overlook other forms of intelligence, including socio-emotional skills and interpersonal relationship skills. This leads to a one-dimensional understanding of intelligence, which undermines the full intellectual capacity of human beings.There is along historyof doubt surrounding the validity of IQ testing, often for reasons of bias.

Additionally, this phenomenon suggests that people are more likely to score higher on an outdated version of an IQ test than on a current version.

Theories of Intelligence in Psychology

Let’s take a look at some of the factors that contribute to the Flynn Effect:

Why Are You So Anxious During Test Taking?

Consider how influential IQ tests have been in our society. It is a general marker of whether or not someone is deemed intelligent. It has been used as an instrument contributing todiscrimination, like in the case ofLarry P. v. Riles.

It can determine whether or not someone receives essentialdisability aidfrom the United States government. Beyond that, it can be what influences the outcome of a capital punishment case. Therefore, the accuracy of IQ tests is essential to maintaining a fair and just society. Inaccuracy of these tests can lead to furtheroppression.

The Flynn Effect has also led many to feel positive that intelligence is only evolving across decades. This can inform the public opinion of how humans are growing and adapting to our rapidly changing society.

While it’s difficult to be certain whether intelligence is decreasing or increasing, a decline in intelligence is known as the reverse Flynn Effect. Recent research is indicating an overall decline in intelligence, however, that may not mean our society is actually becoming less intelligent. Instead, it may be more indicative of a changing society.

Younger Generations Have Lower Test-Taking Confidence

Research suggests the decline can be attributed to shifts in the quality of education received,decreased nutrition, and changes in test-taking behavior. When it comes to test-taking behavior, it is hypothesized that younger generations are experiencing decreased test-taking confidence or are not responding particularly well to the format of IQ tests.

Anti-Immigration Rhetoric and the Reverse Flynn Effect

Recent research has suggested the reverse Flynn Effect is due toimmigration, noting that the migration of those from countries with lower IQs into a country with a higher IQ can result in an overall lower IQ. Not only has this hypothesis been debunked, but it can also lead to anti-immigration rhetoric.

It is critical to realize that IQ tests can be used discriminately and the reverse Flynn Effect does not necessarily indicate decreased intelligence. Let us not forget how theLarry P. v. Rilescase illustrated how problematic IQ tests can be for disenfranchised populations.

How Poverty During Childhood Impacts the Adult Brain

Human intelligence is far more complicated than a standardized test can capture. Our environment is constantly changing and evolving, thanks to the melding of cultures, shifts in themediawe consume, and evolutions in our environment. These changes need not be feared—they can instead be bravely embraced.

While the Flynn Effect once clearly indicated signs of intelligence evolving across generations, the reverse Flynn Effect has complicated this narrative.

To avoid the past historical implications the IQ test has left us with, it is critical to remain mindful that it isn’t the only measure of intelligence, even if it is currently a preferred measure. Furthermore, consider how adiversityof experiences, environments, and thought—which would also account for diversity in standardized test responses—can lead to an increasingly intelligent society.

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Trahan L, Stuebing KK, Hiscock MK, Fletcher JM. The flynn effect: a meta-analysis.Psychol Bull. 2014;140(5):1332-1360. doi: 10.1037/a0037173The New York Times.When an I.Q. Score is a Death Sentence.Kanaya T.Intelligence and the individuals with disabilities education act.J Intell.2019;7(4):24. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence7040024Ganuthula VRR, Sinha S.The looking glass for intelligence quotient tests: the interplay of motivation, cognitive functioning, and affect. Front Psychol. 2019;10:2857. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02857Dworak EM, Revelle W, Condon DM.Looking for Flynn effects in a recent online U.S. adult sample: Examining shifts within the SAPA Project.Intelligence. 2023;98:101734. doi: 10.1016/j.intell.2023.101734Bratsberg B, Rogeberg O.Flynn effect and its reversal are both environmentally caused.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.2018;115(26):6674-6678. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1718793115

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Trahan L, Stuebing KK, Hiscock MK, Fletcher JM. The flynn effect: a meta-analysis.Psychol Bull. 2014;140(5):1332-1360. doi: 10.1037/a0037173The New York Times.When an I.Q. Score is a Death Sentence.Kanaya T.Intelligence and the individuals with disabilities education act.J Intell.2019;7(4):24. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence7040024Ganuthula VRR, Sinha S.The looking glass for intelligence quotient tests: the interplay of motivation, cognitive functioning, and affect. Front Psychol. 2019;10:2857. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02857Dworak EM, Revelle W, Condon DM.Looking for Flynn effects in a recent online U.S. adult sample: Examining shifts within the SAPA Project.Intelligence. 2023;98:101734. doi: 10.1016/j.intell.2023.101734Bratsberg B, Rogeberg O.Flynn effect and its reversal are both environmentally caused.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.2018;115(26):6674-6678. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1718793115

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Trahan L, Stuebing KK, Hiscock MK, Fletcher JM. The flynn effect: a meta-analysis.Psychol Bull. 2014;140(5):1332-1360. doi: 10.1037/a0037173The New York Times.When an I.Q. Score is a Death Sentence.Kanaya T.Intelligence and the individuals with disabilities education act.J Intell.2019;7(4):24. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence7040024Ganuthula VRR, Sinha S.The looking glass for intelligence quotient tests: the interplay of motivation, cognitive functioning, and affect. Front Psychol. 2019;10:2857. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02857Dworak EM, Revelle W, Condon DM.Looking for Flynn effects in a recent online U.S. adult sample: Examining shifts within the SAPA Project.Intelligence. 2023;98:101734. doi: 10.1016/j.intell.2023.101734Bratsberg B, Rogeberg O.Flynn effect and its reversal are both environmentally caused.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.2018;115(26):6674-6678. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1718793115

Trahan L, Stuebing KK, Hiscock MK, Fletcher JM. The flynn effect: a meta-analysis.Psychol Bull. 2014;140(5):1332-1360. doi: 10.1037/a0037173

The New York Times.When an I.Q. Score is a Death Sentence.

Kanaya T.Intelligence and the individuals with disabilities education act.J Intell.2019;7(4):24. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence7040024

Ganuthula VRR, Sinha S.The looking glass for intelligence quotient tests: the interplay of motivation, cognitive functioning, and affect. Front Psychol. 2019;10:2857. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02857

Dworak EM, Revelle W, Condon DM.Looking for Flynn effects in a recent online U.S. adult sample: Examining shifts within the SAPA Project.Intelligence. 2023;98:101734. doi: 10.1016/j.intell.2023.101734

Bratsberg B, Rogeberg O.Flynn effect and its reversal are both environmentally caused.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.2018;115(26):6674-6678. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1718793115

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