Wow what a Pension Increase

Originally posted by pintohoo: ↑

''and hasn't technology wrought miracles.''

yes it has; but it's rapid progress is also the cause of the 'left behinds' we see, those who, many of which are so left behind that they are disaffected.

no its the human race progressing, evolving to be more intelligent and mature than ever before.

I'm sorry - 'more intelligent' ------------- you appear to have totally missed the references that I gave you yesterday which clearly show a 'reversal' in IQ

again for your interest ---------- please consider new information

we appear to NOT be evolving into more intelligence - quite the opposite now

Recent research indicates that IQ scores, which had been rising throughout much of the 20th century due to the "Flynn Effect," are now in decline in several regions, including the United States and parts of Europe. This reversal, termed the "Reverse Flynn Effect," highlights a shift in long-standing trends of cognitive performance.
### Evidence of IQ Decline
1. **Decline in U.S. Scores (2006–2018)**:
- A Northwestern University study found consistent declines in three cognitive domains: verbal reasoning (logic, vocabulary), matrix reasoning (visual problem-solving), and letter and number series (mathematical reasoning). However, spatial reasoning scores (3D rotation) increased during the same period[1][3][5].
- The study analyzed data from nearly 400,000 participants using the Synthetic Aperture Personality Assessment (SAPA) Project. The declines were observed across all demographics, including age, education, and gender[1][3].
2. **Global Trends**:
- Research from Norway, Britain, France, and the Netherlands also shows declining IQ scores since the mid-1970s. These findings suggest that this phenomenon is not limited to the U.S.[7].
- An Icelandic study estimated a decline of 0.3 IQ points per decade[6].
3. **Slower Growth Before Decline**:
- The rate of IQ increases began slowing in the late 20th century. For example, global IQ gains dropped from 2.4 points per decade (1948–1985) to 1.8 points per decade (1986–2020), signaling a plateau before the decline[2].
### Possible Explanations
The causes of this reversal remain debated but are widely attributed to environmental factors rather than genetics:
- **Education**: Changes in educational priorities (e.g., emphasis on STEM over abstract reasoning) may have influenced test performance[1][3].
- **Technology and Media**: Increased use of digital devices and media consumption could impact cognitive capacities and attention spans[7].
- **Nutrition and Health**: Deterioration in diet quality and overall health could play a role[1][7].
- **Motivation and Test Familiarity**: Differences in test-taking motivation or familiarity with specific test formats might also contribute to lower scores[1][3].
### Conclusion
The reversal of the Flynn Effect represents a significant shift in cognitive trends observed over decades. While some domains like spatial reasoning show improvement, declines in others raise questions about societal and environmental influences on intelligence. Further research is needed to understand these patterns fully and their broader implications.
Citations:
[1] https://news.northwestern.edu/stori...scores-are-lower-in-some-areas-higher-in-one/
[2] https://www.polytechnique-insights....y/declining-global-iq-reality-or-moral-panic/
[3] https://www.forbes.com/sites/michae...-show-recent-declines-according-to-new-study/
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/3283
[5] https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a43469569/american-iq-scores-decline-reverse-flynn-effect/
[6] https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1718793115
[7] https://science.howstuffworks.com/l...rch-confirms-it-really-are-getting-dumber.htm
[8] https://www.sciencealert.com/iq-sco...y-intelligence-boom-flynn-effect-intelligence

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"you appear to have totally missed the references that I gave you yesterday which clearly show a 'reversal' in IQ". .. incorrect. I reject such.

lots of dodgy studies courtesy of Prof. Google. and Ai isn't infallible (yet)