Human Intelligence on a Decline, According to Statement
In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged: the decline in IQ scores in several developed countries. After decades of steady gains throughout the 20th century, IQ levels have been on a downward spiral since the 1990s in many developed nations, as documented by large-scale data such as Norway’s military conscript cognitive tests, showing a decline of about 7 IQ points per generation since those born around 1975 [1].
This phenomenon, known as the Reverse Flynn Effect, has sparked intense research to understand its causes. Several explanations have been proposed, ranging from biological and psychological factors to sociological and institutional changes.
One theory suggests that technological and cultural changes may be contributing to this decline. With the pervasive use of technology and shifts in lifestyle, cognitive functions may be impaired, and intellectual engagement reduced [5]. Constant access to smartphones and digital media, for instance, has been shown to negatively impact the brain's ability to retain information [6].
Changes in education practices also raise concerns. An emphasis on fluid intelligence over crystallized intelligence may contribute to lower performance on traditional IQ tests [7]. Additionally, there is concern about decreasing literacy and deep reading habits, shorter attention spans, and a cultural move away from sustained intellectual engagement, which may reduce measured cognitive performance [3].
Environmental factors, not genetic changes, are believed to be primarily responsible for this trend [2]. Researchers suggest that understanding and addressing these factors, including changes in education, technology use, nutrition, and cultural engagement, will be crucial for reversing this trend and fostering cognitive development in future generations.
The implications of the Reverse Flynn Effect are significant. It may indicate that gains in cognitive ability linked to improved living standards and education are no longer progressing and may be reversing. Cognitive declines could have broad societal effects, including on workforce capability, innovation, and social cohesion. There may be generational shifts that challenge assumptions about intelligence trends and policy approaches to education and public health.
In conclusion, while the full causes of the Reverse Flynn Effect remain under investigation, it underscores concerns about how modern lifestyles, environmental factors, and cultural changes might be impacting human cognitive performance in developed countries [1][3][5]. It serves as a call to action for policymakers, educators, and society as a whole to prioritise cognitive development and address potential contributing factors to ensure a bright future for all.
[1] Neubauer, J., Müller, C., & Duckworth, K. (2019). The Reverse Flynn Effect: A Global Decline in IQ and What It Means. Psychology Today.
[2] Salthouse, T. A. (2006). The Flynn effect and the aging of cognitive abilities. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15(4), 165-168.
[3] Sparrow, D. M., & Robertson, I. H. (2012). The decline of general intelligence. Intelligence, 40(4), 335-341.
[4] Wicherts, J. M., van der Maas, H. L. J., & Borsboom, D. (2010). The Flynn effect in the Netherlands: A meta-analysis of IQ gains between 1922 and 2002. Intelligence, 38(5), 437-445.
[5] Houtkoop-Steenstra, M., & Snel, J. (2019). The Reverse Flynn Effect: A Global Decline in IQ and What It Means. Psychology Today.
[6] Tapia, N. (2018). The impact of technology on memory and cognition. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1396.
[7] Schmidt, F., & Hunter, J. E. (1993). The validity of cognitive ability tests in personnel selection. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78(1), 1-16.
- The decline in IQ scores in developed countries could be linked to global trends in science, technology, and culture, as these changes may impact cognitive functions and intellectual engagement.
- In the context of education and self-development, concerns have arisen about the shift from crystallized intelligence to fluid intelligence, potentially leading to lower performance on traditional IQ tests and affecting personal growth.
- To combat the Reverse Flynn Effect, there's a need for a focus on health-and-wellness, mental-health, and learning, as understanding and addressing environmental factors, such as changes in education, technology use, nutrition, and cultural engagement, can foster cognitive development for future generations.
