Hugh: Collective IQ Scores Have Dropped for the First Time in Decades

If you’ve suspected that in general, people aren’t as bright as they used to be, you might actually be on to something. According to something called the Flynn effect, intelligence tends to go up from generation to generation, but that might be changing. Normally, the collective IQ goes up about 3 points per decade. Researchers are finding that the trend stalled out around 2006 and is now reversing. Although a small dip in IQ scores is tracked across all adults, the lowered scores are especially seen in young adults, particularly in the 18 to 22 age group. We don’t know exactly what’s causing the change, but data from multiple countries show that it’s likely a worldwide problem. Of course, people are throwing several theories out there, suggesting it might be caused by the modern education system, pollution, changes in diet, and our obsession with smart phones and social media.