Since 1975, the IQ of new generations is declining, according to results of a study published in the American medical journal PNAS.
Researchers at the Ragnar Frisch Center for Economic Research in Norway have found that IQ test scores have been steadily declining over the past few decades.
Previous studies have shown that people have become more intelligent during the first part of the last century and this has been measured by the intelligence quotient. This trend which has been dubbed the Flynn effect. Various theories have been proposed to explain this evolution of the human mind, such as a better nutrition, quality health care, better education, all of these factors that could help people become smarter. But today, according to these researchers, this trend is over and is being reversed.
Since 1975, the IQ in decline
The researchers analyzed the IQ test scores of young men entering Norwegian national service (compulsory military service) during the years 1970 to 2009. A total of 730,000 test scores were counted. Studying the data, the researchers found that scores declined by an average of seven points per generation, which is a clear reversal of test scores dating back around 70 years.
Sociology and genes would not be in question. “While such factors may be present, their influence is negligible compared to other environmental factors,” the researchers said.
As non-sociological, non-genetic factors, they highlight the “decline of educational values”, “degradation of educational and school systems”, “television and media”, “degradation of education within families”, “degradation of nutrition” and “health degradation”.
The scientists also observed some differences between family groups, suggesting that some of the decline in IQ may be attributable to environmental factors. They also suggest that lifestyle changes could also explain some of the decline, such as changes in the education system and children reading less and playing games more. video games. A British team recently found IQ scores falling by 2.5 to 4.3 points every decade since around the end of World War II. And last December, another group of American researchers discovered that theChildren who grew up eating lots of fish tended to have higher IQs and slept better. Today, children in many countries eat very little fish.
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