The Flynn effect is the substantial, sustained rise in average scores on standardized intelligence tests observed across many countries over the course of the twentieth century. When an IQ test is restandardized against a new population, people who took the earlier version of the test typically score well above the new average of 100, showing that scores rose steadily and roughly linearly over time across different countries, age groups and ability levels. Researchers continue to debate whether the rise reflects a genuine increase in underlying intelligence or improvement in skills specific to the tests themselves.
Facts
Partially Attested
First Described YearThe term Flynn effect was coined later, by Herrnstein and Murray in their 1994 book The Bell Curve; Flynn himself said he would have named the effect after Read D. Tuddenham, whose 1948 study was the first to show the gains on a nationwide sample. Core ClaimThe Flynn effect is the substantial, long-sustained increase in both fluid and crystallized intelligence test scores measured in many parts of the world over the twentieth century. 1 Replication Standing Classification
Type of Phenomenon Connections
In Branch
Source Flynn effect, Wikipedia
Sources
1. Flynn effect, Wikipedia
Lead section
The Flynn effect is the substantial and long-sustained increase in both fluid and crystallized intelligence test scores that were measured in many parts of the world over the 20th century
Origin of term section
was the first to present convincing evidence of massive gains on mental tests using a nationwide sample
In Branch: Differential Psychology, Lead sentence
The Flynn effect is the substantial and long-sustained increase in both fluid and crystallized intelligence test scores that were measured in many parts of the world over the 20th century, named after researcher James Flynn (1934-2020).
In Group: Intelligence and Cognitive Ability Trends, lead paragraph of the cited article
the substantial and long-sustained increase in both fluid and crystallized intelligence test scores that were measured in many parts of the world over the 20th century
View the Source2. FORRT: FORRT Replications and Reversals
FORRTEntry: Flynn effectQuote, Entry: Flynn effect
Flynn effect. The observed rise over time in standardised intelligence test scores in the successive versions of Stanford-Binet and Wechsler intelligence tests. This effect points toward an increase in “intelligence” in the next generation compared to the previous generation. Statistics Status: replicated
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