The Flynn Effect - Explained by Flynn Himself

College Confidential Community
1

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Intelligence-Beyond-Flynn-Effect/dp/0521880076/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/What-Intelligence-Beyond-Flynn-Effect/dp/0521880076/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Anyways, I was browsing thorough Steve Sailer's archives when I came across this post:
<a href="http://isteve.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-review-of-james-r-flynns-what-is.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://isteve.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-review-of-james-r-flynns-what-is.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Which is very interesting.</p>

<p>If you don't know about the Flynn Effect => <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flynn_effect%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flynn_effect&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Basically, it is the observation that average IQ tests of different nations have increased with respect to time, which has caused some people to critique the utility of IQ tests. Apparently, Flynn did not join in the attacks himself and now defends IQ testing against the attacks caused by the observation of this effect (which has pretty much stopped for some of the most developed countries).</p>

<p>One implication is that as variance due to environment decreases (due to the fact that most people in developed countries are materially well off, as compared to where they were decades ago), the variance due to genetics can only increase.</p>

<p>==
That being said, IQ tests are bound on misinterpretations. They measure something on the GROUP level, but can SOMETIMES be inaccurate on the individual level.</p>

2

<p>Brings back memories from AP Psychology.</p>

3

<p>Well, every single rule has exceptions (not including the exceptions to that rule) so .. obviously it's going to be incorrect in some cases.</p>

<p>InquilineKea, what is your IQ?</p>

<p>Btw, IQ is not completely innate. It can develop until the age of 3, and after that point it is static. But the things you are exposed to from 0-3 can have an affect on your IQ, for sure.</p>

4

<p>The thing is, IQ is bound to have black-and-white misinterpretations, which have caused all of those IQ wars (Bell Curve wars).</p>

<p>I never had my IQ tested for a long time. I don't trust IQ tests with respect to certain individuals. I think I had it tested twice when I was in, 2nd grade? (actually, IQ is somewhat changeable up to 18-20, then stabilizes). I remember a 136 math, 102 verbal, which was really weird. Then there was this other test that rounded to 118 or something (I know, it sucks). Meh, it's just a 2nd grade result.</p>