Flynn Effect is an illusion, and IQ is generally stagnant

[Elite Engineer]

This is a statement, not a question. I'm interested in your own opinions.

 

The Flynn Effect states that the general IQ of the population increases over time; IQ scores in recent history have shown this trend to be true. However, what if those IQ tests are potentially biased, lacking in logical problem solving and critical thinking skills? What if those tests are merely amplifications of generalizations that society has come to? Looking at the lack of logical and critical problem solving examples in todays society, and the increase in stagnant information overflow, I boldly say its true. Here's some examples of what I'm saying:

 

Prior to Rutherford and Einstein, most of society did not know what an atom was. After 1905, society generally "knew" what an atom was, but had no critical knowledge of WHY it behaves the way it does, no logical/ mathematical interpretation. Society acknowledged its existence.

 

Preceding Crick and Watson, society as a whole didnt know what DNA. After 1953, people generally knew "what" DNA was, but they did not know how or why it functioned the way it did, etc, etc.

 

Does the general IQ appear to proportionally increase with time, because people in later generations merely "know" more things than people preceding them? (i.e knowing what an atom, knowing what DNA is, etc, etc.) Are these IQ tests relying on the comparison of what later generations know to older generations?I believe this to be true, and it shows the lack of societal push for critical thinking, and the useless accumulation of "information".

 

-EE

 

 

[EdEarl]

The original IQ tests were designed to test how well students would perform in school. According to Wikipedia,

IQ scores have been shown to be associated with such factors as morbidity and mortality, parental social status, and, to a substantial degree, biological parental IQ.

 

As I understand your post, one possible reason for IQ scores being higher today may be current IQ tests are biased because they are different than previous IQ tests, and another possible reason for IQ scores being higher today is that people know more.

 

=========

 

Perhaps the reason is partly due to both of your suggestions, and more.

 

For example, when IQ tests were developed in France in the 19th century, conditions such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia were either unknown or not widely known and IQ tests were not specific for people with those conditions. Thus, IQ scores would be skewed lower because such people do poorly on written tests. Today IQ tests are designed and specially administered to people with special needs, generally increasing IQ scores.

 

For example, the brain is very plastic and improves its ability to learn when it receives intense training. The availability of educational materials as books, periodicals, and the internet give people more opportunity to train their brain to learn compared to the 19th century. Thus, IQ tests may have increased because of increased brain exercise today compared to the 19th century.

 

Finally, diet and health affect our ability to learn, and today people live longer because of better diet and/or health care. Thus, IQ tests may be higher because of better diet and health compared to the 19th century.

[Elite Engineer]

Ah I admire your out of the box thinking. I wish I had thought of the "brain training repetitions" due to more available info, mental disorders, and diet. Those are actually very good explanations that no one has brought to me yet. You may have pulled the plug on my premise! Curse you good sir.

 

~EE

[John Cuthber]

Well, in principle, it's an easy enough question to answer.

Dig out the original IQ test from the depths of history and get a bunch of modern kids to sit the test

See how their IQ's compare with those who did it all those years ago.

 

Obviously, that might be a lot of work.

On the other hand, unlike empty speculation, it will actually be science.

 

Of course, the fact is that the Flynn effect was noticed because people did set the same test repeatedly and people got progressively better scores.

It's an experimentally observed fact so, whatever the OP might feel, the Flynn effect is not an illusion, it's real.

 

On the other hand, this "What if those tests are merely amplifications of generalizations that society has come to?" doesn't actually mean anything.

The stuff about atoms and DNA is a red herring, because they refer to specific information and learning. the whole point of IQ tests was that (as far as they could) the did not require that sort of data.

 

Knowing what an atom is won't help you in an IQ test, because they don't ask about atoms.

[EdEarl]

Curse you good sir.

Sorry for doing as you asked.

[Elite Engineer]

 

 

 

On the other hand, this "What if those tests are merely amplifications of generalizations that society has come to?" doesn't actually mean anything.

I was basing my premise on the belief that current IQ tests are flawed/biased because they were looking for results of how much more "knowledge"(aimless facts..i.e. What is a(n) atom, DNA?) people had in current generations than in past generations as opposed to critical thinking skills. As society advances people know more "things" and this is what I thought IQ scores were based off of.

[John Cuthber]

A fairly typical IQ test question would be:

you have a jug that holds 7 pints and a jug that holds 3 pints and a tap. How do you measure out exactly 1 pint of water?

 

It's a test of problem solving, not knowledge of facts.

If people are doing better on the tests it's because they are better at critical thinking and problem solving.

So, it seems your whole point is based on the fact that you have no idea what you are talking about.

 

(The tests you see on-line are seldom proper IQ tests)

[EdEarl]

So, it seems your whole point is based on the fact that you have no idea what you are talking about.

[Mr Monkeybat]

My guess is the Flynn effect is caused by less malnutrition, lead poisoning. And people getting more practice at taking tests as the frequency of standardized tests at schools have increased..