by Carlton Scott

Created on: January 11, 2011

The Flynn Effect (FE) is the name given to the apparent rise in intelligence scores, across several countries, over the last century. In the 1980's James Flynn reviewed and analysed the scores on cognitive tests (often called IQ tests) and found that average scores had increased at the rate of three points per decade (Greenfield, 1998; Must, Must & Raudik, 2003; Rodgers, 1999; Teasdale & Owen, 2007).  Later, Flynn and other researchers noted that certain cognitive tests showed even greater increases in average scores (Flynn, 2003; Greenfield, 1998; Must, Must & Raudik, 2003; Rodgers, 1999).

IQ tests are used to assess and measure domain-specific (such as arithmetic) and domain-independent (problem solving) cognitive abilities. Though there are dozens of IQ tests, the commonest three tests reported in the literature are the Wechsler, Stanford-Binet and Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM). Both the Wechsler and Stanford-Binet have a number of subtests that are designed to test for particular abilities (Must, Must & Raudik, 2003; Neisser (Chair) et al., 1996; Rodgers, 1999) and both tests include subtests for problem-solving or general intelligence (Neisser, 1998). A common criticism of cognitive tests is that they are culturally-specific and even the RPM (a non-verbal, untimed test designed to be culturally independent) which is one of the best tests for measuring domain-independent abilities (Greenfield, 2009; Hiscock, 2007; Must, Must & Raudik, 2003; Teasdale & Owen, 2007), is thought to be culturally dependent in its representation (Greenfield, 1998).

Flynn himself (Hiscock, 2007) proposes that the increase in measured intelligence is related to better schooling. However, use of Raven's Progressive with preschoolers has shown and increase in scores over time, thus refuting Flynn's claims. Other explanations have included environmental complexity, better nutrition, improved teacher training, urbanisation with improved access to schools and cultural dynamism (Flynn, 2003; Lynn & Harvey, 2008; Must, Must & Raudik, 2003; Neisser (Chair) et al., 1996; Rodgers, 1999; Schooler, 1998). Flynn rejects the suggestion that increased access to technology and environmental complexity make a contribution to the FE (Schooler, 1998). However, First Australians average very low scores on IQ tests but could hardly be thought of as unintelligent (Must, Must & Raudik, 2003; Schooler, 1998). This argument demonstrates the cultural bias of

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