Human IQ is rising and rising
IQ, the so-called intelligence quotient, has played a central role in the labyrinthine corridors of human intelligence since its conception by the French psychologist Alfred Binet at the beginning of the 20th century. It was originally used to identify schoolchildren with learning difficulties, but has evolved into a ubiquitous tool that supposedly measures human cognitive performance. According to a groundbreaking study by Jakob Pietschnig and Martin Voracek, published in 2015 in the journal “Perspectives on Psychological Science”, we are experiencing a continuous rise in IQ worldwide – specifically by around three points per decade. But what is really behind this astonishing development?
The Flynn effect: more than just hot air?
This phenomenon is not new and is often referred to as the Flynn effect, named after the New Zealand intelligence researcher James R. Flynn, who observed this continuous increase in IQ scores in various countries back in the 1980s. The increase has been confirmed by numerous studies and continues to fascinate the scientific community to this day. Pietschnig and Voracek’s overview study has confirmed and extended this trend by compiling and analysing data from many countries.
Possible reasons for the rise in IQ
The reasons for this trend are multi-layered and complex. One popular theory is improved educational accessibility. With the global expansion of access to education and the quality of educational institutions, the cognitive skills measured in IQ tests, such as reasoning, problem solving and language skills, have improved among broader sections of the population.
Another factor could be the increased complexity of our environment. In a world permeated by technology, the demands on cognitive skills have increased – from navigating digital menus to dealing with a flood of information through media and the internet.
A critical look at the rise in IQ
Despite the impressive data presented by Pietschnig and Voracek, questions remain unanswered. Critics point out that IQ may not capture the full range of human intelligence and that the focus on quantifiable aspects of cognition neglects important qualitative factors such as creativity and emotional intelligence. Furthermore, the changes in IQ scores could be partly due to changes in the testing methods or cultural bias in the tests themselves.
Looking to the future
The increase in average IQ has potentially far-reaching implications for societies worldwide. From education systems that need to adapt to incorporate more advanced learning to labour markets that require increasingly complex skills, the Flynn effect could be an indicator of broader social change.
Future research needs to further explore the causes of this phenomenon and, in particular, whether these trends will continue or whether we are reaching a saturation point where IQ scores could remain stable or even decline. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and social structures could also influence future trends.
In a world that is becoming faster and more connected, the continued rise in IQ offers both hope and a challenge: humanity is getting smarter, but do we also understand better what this means for our coexistence? Only time and further research will tell if our collective mental ascent will lead us to better co-operation and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
