Recently, the testing scores for Intelligence Quotient (more commonly known as IQ) have been observed to be in decline. Specifically, scores related to abilities in verbal reasoning (logic, vocabulary), visual problem solving/analogies, computation/mathematics, and spatial reasoning have gone down.
For context, scientists have observed the opposite trend for nearly a century. It’s called the Flynn Effect, and it involves various factors influencing the rise of IQ points. Better nutrition, increased availability of education, children being raised by parents who have stronger educational backgrounds, the fact that people were reading more, and improved technology all are believed to have resulted in IQs rising by 3 to 5 points every decade regardless of race, socioeconomic background, gender, or any other factor. Part of what makes the trend particularly impressive is the fact that 100 is meant to be the median number, meaning the majority of folks who take the test should test as having a 100 IQ. To maintain the average scale, the test is revised every 10 to 15 years to make it harder and adjust the tests downward. This means that as society has improved every aspect of our standard of living, it has resulted in an improvement of our collective ability to think and reason.
The drop in IQ points isn’t conclusive proof that we are getting dumber. For starters, it’s only one study at this point. It’s not a trend at this point either. It is only the first finding of this type of decline. In addition, the study was unusual because the decline was seen across the board: every age group, education level, etc. Ultimately, the finding just means that the scores went down in relation to this particular iteration of the test. Whether or not that is a result of a cognitive decline remains to be seen.
In terms of the reason a cognitive decline could be taking place, there is no shortage of theories. In general, they are associated with the factors that caused the Flynn Effect in the first place. Decline in the quality of food, less reading, unhealthy relationships with screens, less parent/kid time, a lowering in the quality of education, etc. are among the guesses I’ve encountered. The trick is that these are all theories based on the previous trends. They haven’t been tested or evaluated.
The interesting thing about this information is how it can be used in our daily life. Regardless of the cause of the lower IQ scores, the information can be useful in our daily lives and how we raise our kids. We can look at behaviors and practices that resulted in the Flynn effect and intentionally work them into our daily lives. For example, reading more has been demonstrated to raise IQ points, especially in children. Even when parents read for their own edification, the practice impacts kids through their parents’ growing vocabularies, improved thinking skills, etc. Using these things around children teaches it to them. Kids also learn to value reading when they see us reading. It’s just one example, but the truth is that each of the factors that caused the Flynn effect is pretty basic and easily improved in our own lives with minimal effort. The real trick is to be intentional in taking on the task.
