Posted on 06/14/2018 6:21:58 AM PDT by BenLurkin
A defining trend in human intelligence tests that saw people steadily obtaining higher IQ scores through the 20th century has abruptly ended, a new study shows.
The Flynn effect – named after the work of Kiwi intelligence researcher James Flynn – observed rapid rises in intelligence quotient at a rate of about 3 IQ points per decade in the 20th century, but new research suggests these heady boom days are long gone.
…
The researchers sourced their data from the IQ test scores of 18- to 19-year-old Norwegian men who took the tests as part of their national, compulsory military service.
Between the years 1970 to 2009, three decades of these young men (born between 1962 to 1991) were conscripted, resulting in over 730,000 IQ test results.
What the results show is that a turning point for the Flynn effect occurred for the post-1975 birth cohorts, equivalent to 7 fewer IQ score points per generation.
…
In the new study, the researchers observed IQ drops occurring within actual families, between brothers and sons – meaning the effect likely isn't due to shifting demographic factors as some have suggested, such as the dysgenic accumulation of disadvantageous genes across areas of society.
Instead, it suggests changes in lifestyle could be what's behind these lower IQs, perhaps due to the way children are educated, the way they're brought up, and the things they spend time doing more and less (the types of play they engage in, whether they read books, and so on).
Another possibility is that IQ tests haven't adapted to accurately quantify an estimate of modern people's intelligence – favouring forms of formally taught reasoning that may be less emphasised in contemporary education and young people's lifestyles.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencealert.com ...
The school system is working as designed.
That's a gentle way of putting it.
Another possibility is that IQ tests haven’t adapted to accurately quantify an estimate of modern people’s intelligence – favouring forms of formally taught reasoning that may be less emphasised in contemporary education and young people’s lifestyles.
—
Meaning what? IQ should include the rate of Instagram posts?
Sometimes the question is whether the test subject is incapable of reading with comprehension, or simply too lazy.
The movie “Idiotocracy” predicted this, and to some degree it makes sense. The combination of technology & prosperity allows us to tolerate, and even coddle, a lot more dysfunctional behavior than we used to. Over a long enough time period, this can cause average IQ to decrease. If AI can think for you, then humans no longer have to think as much.
It’s not just IQ. Young people look fundamentally different today from when I was younger. There are still good looking young people, but far fewer of them. It is almost like there has been some kind of genetic collapse.
No, I doubt IQ scores are falling at all.
Kids are being dumbed down by the public education establishment and their brains are being rewired by video games.
They no longer know how to think or reason.
The plug-in drug.
“Sometimes the question is whether the test subject is incapable of reading with comprehension, or simply too lazy”.
Or has an IQ of 83 and is more chimp than human.
I wonder if children raised in day care centers by people too stupid to get a better paying job might be a factor?
Or maybe ‘average IQ’ of a country moves downward with the infusion of millions of illiterate illegals from 3rd world hellholes...
Yes, for several decades now we’ve subsidized the irresponsibility and indolence of the underclass. And if you subsidize something — whether sugar beets or bastardy — you can be sure you’ll get more of it. I read several years ago that the average IQ of American blacks has dropped several points since the 60s. This may not sound like much, but it’s huge. Also, this study doesn’t mention demographics. The average white IQ may still be 100, but with whites as a percentage of total population dropping each year, and lower-IQ immigrants swarming in, it’s no wonder the nation’s IQ is dropping. Average height is dropping for the same reason. And then there’s the massive problem of our horrid diet and the countless health problems it’s causing . . .
This can’t be true. The millenials know EVERYTHING.
Please read the entire article. You will see that the study does indeed address the “demographics” canard.
Sounds like you’ve been talking to Ben Jr.
So, Norwegians are getting less smart? Who would have thought it?
My favorite low IQ question I heard from a worker. If we make buildings too tall will they hit the moon?
leftards want equality of opportunity even if that means destruction of the above average to make them equal to the below average
***If AI can think for you, then humans no longer have to think as much.***
I knew a man who was brilliant at math and algebra. He could figure things in his head almost instantly.
Then he got a company calculator.
After about ten years using a calculator he was no longer “sharp” in his math skills.
But for an old dummy like me, a hand held calculator was a Godsend.
Correct. And that is the fault of modern medicine’s successes over opportunistic diseases. Where once the herd-culling transpired naturally, now faulty genetics intermingle and propagate. The saddest byproduct is we eliminate good humans through wars and foster more marginal humans through social welfare programs
Or, Rep. Hank Johnson worrying that Guam might capsize from overpopulation.
The constant threat during the cold war (and world wars of the 20 the century) would have encouraged the expression of intelligence, since intelligence is required to survive and plan to survive in threatening circumstances. I'll be called racist but it only stands to reason that those who evolved in the cold of the north both evolved genetically and more often had to express the intelligence trait. Otherwise, they died and didn't pass on their genetic spectrum.
But soft collectivism followed the wars, as did technology that means you can live anywhere and be kinda dumb, and now we find ourselves with no really clear and present danger (we here know there is a danger - called collectivism, or as Ayn Rand said "the most evil word in the English language is "We"")
In short, statistically, at the genetic level nothing's really changed, but at the level of the EXPRESSION of those genes, the world has become a little bit more stupid because the organisms see no real danger, and the evolutionary intelligence/programming therefore, unless engaged in some very compelling long term activity such as starting businesses or a challenging and compelling rational career or struggling (or strongly engaged in sincere practice of a valid religion or spiritual practice) ... something DEMANDING and compelling - doesn't matter what it is ... could just be HOW one raises one's kids ... finds less need to express intelligence.
The end of the wars of the 20th century, assuming they don't reignite in other ways, are obviously good. But probably it's led to aimlessness for those who are not self starters and needed their fear and discomfort to apply themselves to life, gradually less expression of intelligence, and probably also depression.
Anyone who lives in 'The World' in the sense of what Jesus called it, who is hypnotized by it, is likely to experience more comfort in this era, but dwindling smarts, dwindling love of life, and a feeling of pointlessness. If evil itself seems hidden, then good is of less import. When good is of less import, there will be less of it (That only applies to those living in The World).
Better to realize The World is a useful and necessary apparition, and dwell in either Emptiness or Heaven (which is already in and around us, which is the reality, whereas 'The World' is the illusion.)
So there you silly perplexed scientists. Putin was right - the fall the Soviet Union was the greatest disaster in history. (I don't really agree with that, but it was the predecessor of many ills, yet also the predecessor of more good things.)
Hopefully humans don't take the relative peace and destroy themselves with it. But if they do ... hey ... that's the cycle throughout history. Steyn called it 'farce followed by farce followed by tragedy.' It's not necessarily cynical ... it may just be the natural order, and you don't have to be part of it even if it's going on around you.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.