The Flynn Effect
The Flynn Effect is a curious phenomenon discovered by scientist James R. Flynn: IQ test scores gradually increase with each generation. In other words, on average, people today score higher on intelligence tests than their parents or grandparents did at the same age.#
How much does it grow?
The average increase is about 3 IQ points per decade. It may seem small, but over 50 years, that adds up to almost 15 points — enough to shift someone from “average” to “above average” if they had been born decades earlier.
Why does it happen?
The most accepted explanations include:
Better nutrition: well-nourished brains perform better.
Quality education: more modern schools and more effective teaching methods.#L# Daily cognitive stimulation: TV, video games, the internet, and technology enhance our ability to solve problems and think abstractly.
Cultural changes: modern societies encourage more logical reasoning and problem-solving than in the past.
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