Flynn Effect - are we getting smarter?

Ritesh Bawri

Jul 22, 2024 — 2 min read

Are you smarter than your dad? Will your daughter be more intelligent than you? If questions like these cross your mind, we should talk about a man called James R. Flynn.

But let us first talk about intelligence. Intelligence can come in many forms. My dad speaks extensively on the subject, helping people understand the evolution of intelligence from what is merely data.

But intelligence is traditionally measured using an IQ test. Verbal, reasoning, and mathematical skills could be tested. You would then get a score that gave you your IQ, or intelligence quotient.

Einstein apparently had an IQ of between 160 and 190, if that is an aspiration. But here is where it gets strange.

Einstein passed in 1955. In the last seven odd decades, intelligence has gone up by 3 points per decade. So at the upper end, Einstein would have an IQ of 210 today.

The credit for this discovery goes to James R. Flynn. Flynn was a researcher. He meticulously catalogued intelligence tests, including tests such as the Stanford-Binet, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), and Raven's Progressive Matrices.

His years of research led him to realise that there was a steady upward trend. His research led to this phenomenon being labelled the Flynn effect.

So yes, your daughter is at least ten points smarter than you are.

There are various reasons attributed. I know the common one we ascribe is exposure. Television, computers, and phones.

But researchers would disagree. Exposure does make a difference. Travel included. But so does nutrition. Smaller families with parents spending more time with their children also helps.

Another argument put forward is that repeated exposure to these tests breeds familiarity. A person can take an IQ test multiple times before being tested.

Regardless, the children of the next generation do seem to be getting smarter with time.

Is there a peak? In theory, your grandchild could have the same IQ as Einstein if they do not recalibrate the tests and adjust for the Flynn effect.

Reach out to me on twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial and YouTube at www.youtube.com/breatheagain

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