A-Z Popular Blog Education Search »
Education
 Advertisements
Related Guides

What is the Flynn Effect?

 , updated on
The Flynn effect is the observed rise in IQ scores in many countries in the period 1930 to present. Each IQ test is standardized such that the average score is 100 by using a sampling of test-takers. When a modern pool of test-takers is asked to take an older test, they typically score significantly higher than 100.
The Flynn effect may be as high as 2.93 IQ points per decade. It some cases it has been even higher. For example, testing of Dutch military conscripts indicated a gain of 21 points between 1952 and 1982, or 7 points per decade.

Why Smarter?

Factors such as literacy, education, nutrition and health improvements may be primarily responsible for the observed rise in IQ. It is also possible that environments become more stimulating due to factors such as technology.

Decline

Some research has suggested very recent declines in the Flynn effect or in IQs themselves. One study found that IQs of British 14 year olds dropped 2 points between 1980 and 2008.

Multiple Intelligence

IQ tests represent a particular type of problem solving ability. They may not correlate with all forms of intelligence.
Overview: Flynn Effect
Type
Education
Definition
An observed long term rise in IQ in the period 1930 to present in many countries.
Related Concepts

Personal Development

This is the complete list of articles we have written about personal development.
Ability Grouping
Academic Disciplines
Academic Interests
Academic Person
Achievements
Assessment Plan
Coaching
Constructivism
Creative Tension
Credentialism
Critical Thinking
Curiosity Drive
Digital Divide
Disadvantages
Education Goals
Education Technology
Educational Philosophy
Epic Meaning
ERG Theory
Extracurriculars
Five Whys
Flynn Effect
Formative Assessment
Heliotropic Effect
Honor System
Media Literacy
Peak-End Rule
Plain Language
Rationalism
School Culture
School Engagement
Spaced Practice
Student Activities
Student Attributes
Student Data
Student Goals
Study Skills
Studying
Subjects
Teaching
Thesis Statement
Trained Incapacity
More ...
If you enjoyed this page, please consider bookmarking Simplicable.
 

Art For Art's Sake

An overview of art for art's sake.

Education vs Unlearning

The relationship between education and unlearning.

Motivation

An overview of motivation.

Design To The Edges

Why designing for the average person fails.

Political Correctness

The common types of political correctness.

School Culture

A definition of school culture with examples.

Knowledge Economy

The definition of knowledge economy with examples.

Self-Improvement

Common examples of self-improvement.

On The Job Training

The definition of on the job training with examples.

Thought Processes

A list of thinking approaches and types.

Logic

A few logic terms explained.

Cognitive Biases

A list of common cognitive biases explained.

Abstract Ideas

A few dangers of being too abstract.

Objective vs Subjective

The difference between objective and subjective.

Intellectual Diversity

A definition of intellectual diversity with examples.

Creative Value

The definition of creative value with examples.

Anecdotal Evidence

The definition of anecdotal evidence with examples.

Benefit Of Doubt

The definition of benefit of doubt with examples.

Pessimism

The definition of pessimism with examples.
The most popular articles on Simplicable in the past day.

New Articles

Recent posts or updates on Simplicable.
Site Map