The average level of intelligence is declining around the world - this is confirmed by a number of studies. Are we getting stupid? Different studies of scientists give different answers to this question. The article lists some of them. In particular, the decline in global IQ is attributed to genetic reasons, since smart people focus on their careers, and less intelligent people have children.
There are more and more of us in the world. We are connected by the Internet, which is available even in the most remote villages. We know everything about everything, and yet we go on getting stupid. How is this possible?
According to an empirical study by experts from the University of Vienna, Europeans are "getting stupid" like the rest of the world. But in the past, the average level of intelligence has grown steadily. From 1909 to 2013, the intelligence quotient (IQ) grew by 30 points worldwide. This is the so-called Flynn effect, which refers to the increasing intelligence of the population and, simply put, states that the average IQ in society increases by three points in ten years.
There are several reasons for this growth. For example, healthier and more nutritious food, better medical care and mental stimulation. We learn more and longer. It may also be due to genetics, but methodological changes in IQ testing may also play a role.
Is humanity getting stupid, or are we just measuring IQ wrong?
Compared to the beginning of the twentieth century, today humanity is much smarter. The Flynn effect lasted until at least the mid-1980s. It was then that a crisis began in Europe in this area. Recent observations indicate that since then, the increase in intelligence has slowed down or stagnated. There is even an opposite trend. Today it is noticeable all over the world: the IQ of humanity is declining.
“We are smarter when it comes to the capabilities we need. But at the same time, our intellect is weaker in the sphere of those abilities that are of secondary importance to us,”says Jakob Pitschnig, a specialist in the study of intelligence from the University of Vienna.
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General knowledge, like grammatical and rhetorical skills, mathematical literacy and spatial thinking, are special forms of intelligence. If in 1909-2013 growth in the field of logic reached 37 points, then in the field of specific knowledge - already only 22 points, and in Europe - just under 18.
It follows that people are better and faster at recognizing abstract patterns in tests, show good spatial orientation and make good choices, but things are not so good in other areas.
Pitschnigg explains this by the fact that a hundred years ago, different human abilities were in general in the same demand, and modernity requires high specialization in certain segments. In other words, if before we knew a little bit of everything, today it is required of us that we perfectly master one thing.
Man knows how to adapt
A Vienna comparative study suggests that we adapt our mental abilities to our environment. The last decades have been characterized, first of all, by computerization and the spread of digital technologies. If a few decades ago they flew into space with stopwatches in their hands, today we have cars that drive (almost) themselves. In tests, humans did poorly in areas such as vocabulary, math, and general outlook, but these are all things a regular smartphone can do better than humans. And the technique in this regard will only improve.
The decline in global IQ, according to some theories, is also due to genetic reasons, as smart people focus mainly on their careers, and children are less intelligent. Sometimes the decline in intelligence is even attributed to the migration wave and its consequences. But research does not support this simply because migrants do not participate in relevant research. This is understandable: if someone flees to a foreign country (for whatever reason), perhaps, the first thing in a new country he will go to check his IQ.
A number of studies have linked decreased mental performance to global warming: heat, together with a lack of sleep and lack of fluid, has been shown to limit brain activity. However, according to Pitschnigg, all of these factors are more likely to affect immediate test results and are not related to the long-term trends associated with Flynn's anti-effect.
People read less and stare more at displays
As already mentioned, most often changes in the intellectual level of humanity are associated with technology and the spread of digital technologies. In short, we read less and more and more time online.
Some argue that computers and smartphones make us smarter because they help our logical thinking. Others, on the contrary, see in them the reason that we become stupid, because thanks to them we do not have to think for a long time and do not need to remember almost anything. Also, what is happening may mean that, losing some abilities, we still gain others.
According to Professor Reynold Popp of the Vienna Private University. Sigmund Freud, from this point of view, we are not seeing a decline in intelligence, but rather a change in the intellectual profile. In connection with the declining IQ, we must ask the question, how informative are traditional methods of measuring IQ?
The ability to count in the mind and mastery of grammar today are not the abilities that necessarily lead to success: just look around. Is our Mr. Prime Minister and a successful businessman fluent in the Czech language, or does he not shine with eloquence? Successful people today have entire departments of advisers dedicated to rhetorical figures and counting. And what is appreciated today, above all, is creativity, as examples of people like Mark Zuckerberg confirm.
The truth is that throughout history, humans have vastly improved their own abilities by creating and using technology. Therefore, in a sense, it is natural that the storage of information and knowledge, like computational operations, we can safely leave to machines that can do it better than we do. We ourselves can focus on what even the best computer (so far, perhaps never) can do: understanding, planning and creatively shaping complex contexts, as well as rational analysis, social empathy, and ethical values. This will undoubtedly change our intelligence as well. For better or for worse, time will tell.
Lukáš Strašík