IQ Scores Are Falling Due to Environmental Factors, Study Finds (2024)

FAQs

What are the environmental factors affecting IQ? ›

Intelligence is also strongly influenced by the environment. During a child's development, factors that contribute to intelligence include their home environment and parenting, education and availability of learning resources, and healthcare and nutrition.

IQ scores have been steadily falling for the past few decades, with changes in our environment and the way we are learning thought to be reasons why, a new study suggests.

The Flynn Effect refers to the substantial and consistent rise in average IQ scores observed over the past century in numerous countries, as political scientist James Flynn discovered. This increase is attributed to environmental factors like improved nutrition, education, and reduced exposure to toxins.

Environmental Influences on IQ

These factors can modify genetically determined cognitive abilities and include elements such as education, socioeconomic status, cultural opportunities, and nutrition.

Today, the majority of experts recognize that both factors are critical. The majority of research on these topics has confirmed that both nature and nurture have an effect on the development of intelligence. Throughout life, genetics and the environment interact in significant ways in this process.

While many causes of intellectual disability are not known, the etiology of intellectual disability mainly divides into genetic abnormalities and environmental exposure.

As mentioned earlier, Elon Musk's IQ score is believed to be between 155 and 160. Above-average IQ scores within this range are only reserved for the "Highly Gifted" IQ classification.

What can cause IQ to decrease? A decline in physical ability as a person ages can lead to a decrease in performance on IQ tests. Excessive use of drugs and alcohol, as well as degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's, are also associated with the deterioration of cognitive function.

What's the Average IQ in the USA? According to recent data (around 2022), the average IQ in the United States falls around 98. It's important to remember that IQ tests are designed to have an average score of 100, so a slight deviation is expected.

Although science is on the fence about whether you can raise your IQ or not, research does seem to suggest that it's possible to raise your intelligence through certain brain-training activities. Training your memory, executive control, and visuospatial reasoning can help to boost your intelligence levels.

Is the Flynn effect still real? ›

Yes, evidence suggests the Flynn effect may still be ongoing, albeit at a slower pace, in developed countries. The Flynn effect is the observed rise in average IQ scores over time, particularly during the 20th century. It's named after researcher James Flynn, who identified this trend.

Studies have shown that while test scores have improved over time, the improvement is not fully correlated with latent factors related to intelligence. Other researchers argue that the IQ gains described by the Flynn effect are due in part to increasing intelligence, and in part to increases in test-specific skills.

Even though the genetic susceptibility plays a crucial role on the IQ of the individual, various modifiable environmental factors like education, premature birth, nutrition, pollution, drug and alcohol abuse, mental illnesses, and diseases can have an influence on an individual's IQ.

But low IQ parents can give birth to a high IQ child simply through a mix of genes they carry and the environment they create for you. More than just IQ childhood upbringing matters a lot.

Genetics are the dominant influence on IQ scores.

The dominant theory as to what differentiated migratory groups is the cold winters theory. It is based on lethal winters being survived only by more intelligent individuals, causing a rise in intelligence as climatic conditions at more northern latitudes were increasingly demanding of intelligence for survival.

The developing brain is easily molded, making it highly responsive to experience and stimulation. Enriching environments will support healthy brain development, but exposure to stress and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can result in changes to the brain that can impact behavior and the capacity for learning.

Preventable causes of low intelligence in children include infectious diseases such as meningitis, parasites, and cerebral malaria, prenatal drug and alcohol exposure, newborn asphyxia, low birth weight, head injuries, and endocrine disorders.

Physical surroundings, including noise levels, lighting, and temperature, can affect cognitive processes. For example, research has shown that excessive noise can impair memory and attention, while optimal lighting and temperature can enhance cognitive performance.