Human Understanding Appears to be on a Decline, Intelligence Levels Deteriorating
In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged in several developed countries: the decline in average IQ scores. This phenomenon, known as the Reverse Flynn Effect, contrasts sharply with the previous century's trend of rising intelligence levels.
Research from Northwestern University and the University of Oregon, among others, has documented this decline across various cognitive domains, including logic, vocabulary, and problem-solving skills. The most pronounced declines have been observed among younger individuals, with scores dropping by up to two points across multiple age groups and educational backgrounds between 2006 and 2018.
Similar declines have been noted in Denmark and other European nations among 11-12 year-olds by as much as 12 points over nearly three decades. In Norway, a significant decline of 7 IQ points was observed in men drafted for military service from 1970 to 2009.
The potential causes for this Reverse Flynn Effect are complex and multifaceted. One contributing factor is cognitive deskilling due to technology. As new technologies and digital tools reduce the need for active engagement in complex cognitive tasks, people may lose skills and mental sharpness over generations. This deskilling can lead to a genuine decline in measured intelligence scores over time.
Another factor is the shift in cultural attitudes and educational practices. Increased adversarial culture, skepticism of traditional authority, and a decline in deep reading habits contribute to reduced literacy engagement and fractured attention spans. Educational demands and cognitive challenges appear to have diminished, with college students reportedly engaging less seriously with complex reading assignments than previous generations.
Changes in communication style and information consumption also play a role. The move from lengthy, detailed discourse to shallow, fast-paced communication may reduce the complexity of cognitive processing practiced in daily life, potentially lowering cognitive capabilities measurable by IQ tests.
High exposure to screens and digital devices has been linked to cortical thinning, a loss of brain tissue that correlates with lower IQ and diminished executive function. This, in turn, impacts focus and mental health negatively.
Modern diets, which may lack essential nutrients for optimal brain function, could also be negatively impacting cognitive development. The rise of lower-quality entertainment may contribute to diminished cognitive engagement compared to previous generations.
Understanding and addressing these factors will be crucial for reversing the trend and fostering cognitive development in future generations. As societies continue to evolve, addressing the factors contributing to the decline in IQ scores will be crucial for maintaining cognitive development in future generations.
The evidence suggests a concerning trend: average IQ scores are declining in many developed nations, marking a reversal of the long-held belief that human intelligence was steadily increasing. This decline in cognitive abilities is not limited to specific age groups or educational backgrounds, making it a widespread issue affecting numerous developed countries.
- The decline in average IQ scores, observed across various cognitive domains, is not limited to certain age groups or educational backgrounds; it affects numerous developed countries.
- One potential cause for the decline in IQ scores is cognitive deskilling due to technology, which may lead to a genuine decline in measured intelligence scores over time.
- Addressing factors such as cognitive deskilling, reduced literacy engagement, and changes in communication style will be crucial for reversing the trend and fostering cognitive development in future generations.
