Are we smarter than ever?
Although the coronavirus pandemic has shown us that in everything related to pandemics we still have a lot to learn, it cannot be denied that we are increasingly approaching a more advanced and technological future, which could easily indicate this. Every generation that passes by humans is smarter. And it’s not an odd suggestion, as it’s something that many scientists have questioned for a long time.
It is not unreasonable, given that during the twentieth century, average scores on IQ tests increased dramatically, Especially in the West, As mentioned ‘Scientific notice’. This increase was about three points per decade ago, which could mean that there are more geniuses on the planet today than ever before. Remember, this type of test assesses short and long term memory through puzzles, to find out a person’s ability to remember information.
Improvements in health, nutrition, education, working conditions, and global access to technology may play a role in the increase
This increase in IQ scores The fact that intelligence levels increase over time is known as the Flynn effect (named after James Flynn), and it is believed to be linked to improvements in health, nutrition, education, working conditions, and global access to technology. Indeed, in the nineteenth century, industrialization brought with it large cities crowded with health and hygiene problems and premature deaths. Improvements in housing (and thus in health), increased access to education and the gradual advancement from physically demanding jobs to jobs requiring more intellectual demands, have resulted in increased life expectancy.
Evan Gill
Some research even dares to take the risk that the smartest people often live longer. Studies in developing countries also support the idea that Increasing access to education, housing and nutrition They are key factors when it comes to increasing IQ. More importantly, in recent years there have been no reports or studies supporting declining performance on IQ tests, so can it therefore be assumed that humans in developed countries have already reached their maximum level of intelligence?
While there has been no adverse effect in recent years, a study in Norway found that those born after 1975 had low IQ, and This decreased by 0.2 points per year. Other studies conducted between 2005 and 2013 in the United Kingdom, France and Sweden showed similar results. Some suggest that the reason, which is difficult to explain, is related to changes in the teaching method in schools.
Some research even dares to take the risk that smarter people often live longer
Indeed, for the time beingThere are many teaching methods that attempt to combine interpersonal skills And teamwork alongside stimuli so students understand emotional perceptions of others. This approach encourages more capable work, but may place less emphasis on the individual skills required on IQ tests. This may explain why the newer generations in general are no longer good at performing IQ tests. Other explanations are offered by other people as well, such as lower nutritional or immigration standards, or even the tendency for smart people to have fewer children.
Where are we then? Do humans become smarter or not? It’s hard to say. The lowest scores are not, as we have seen, a A clear sign that humans are now less intelligent, It is simply that they score lower on these tests. It’s important to think about what these types of tests measure and what they don’t, along with what exactly we mean when we talk about intelligence. These tests do not measure some basic aspects such as creativity, emotional intelligence, social intelligence or even wisdom, and basic traits when it comes to qualifying a person’s personality.
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