Are Human IQs Falling?
The Flynn Effect and why it may be reversing
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Human IQs were rising globally in the 20th Century, but now some scientists think they are beginning to fall. The rising trend of IQs, known as the Flynn Effect, states that each generation will, on average, score higher on IQ tests than the last. But as we enter the 21st Century, the Flynn effect may be stalling, if not beginning to reverse itself. What does this mean for the future of humanity and progress?
What is the Flynn Effect?
The “Flynn Effect” is an observed rise in intelligence test scores, first documented by researcher and philosopher James Robert Flynn in 1984. Flynn’s initial study calculated an average 13.8-point increase in IQ scores between 1932 and 1978, or about 3 points per decade. While the causes and reasons for the Flynn Effect are the subject of much debate, it is generally accepted that globally, humans scored higher on standardized IQ tests with each passing generation.
