The Flynn Effect is a phenomenon where IQ scores have been steadily increasing over time. It was first proposed in 1984 by James R. Flynn, who observed that IQ scores had been increasing by an average of three points per decade since the 1930s (Flynn, 1984). This upward trend is now widely accepted as a fact and has been confirmed by multiple studies.
The Flynn Effect has been observed in many countries and is believed to be caused by a number of factors, including improved education, better nutrition, and increased access to technology. Some researchers have suggested that it may also be linked to changes in the way intelligence is measured and evaluated (Ceci & Williams, 2007).
The implications of the Flynn Effect are far-reaching. It has been suggested that the increase in IQ scores may have implications for the way intelligence is conceptualized and measured, as well as for educational policies and practices (Flynn, 2009). It has also been proposed that the Flynn Effect may contribute to the widening gap between the haves and have-nots, as those who are able to access better education and nutrition may benefit more from the IQ increase than those who do not (Halpern, 2000).
Although the Flynn Effect is widely accepted, there is still much debate about its causes and implications. Further research is needed to better understand the Flynn Effect and its implications for intelligence and education.
References
Ceci, S. J., & Williams, W. M. (2007). Understanding current causes of women’s underrepresentation in science. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104(8), 3157–3162. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0700274104
Flynn, J. R. (1984). The mean IQ of Americans: Massive gains 1932 to 1978. Psychological Bulletin, 95(1), 29–51. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.95.1.29
Flynn, J. R. (2009). What is intelligence? Beyond the Flynn Effect. Cambridge University Press.
Halpern, D. F. (2000). Sex differences in cognitive abilities (3rd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.