What Is Intelligence?: Beyond the Flynn Effect
Abstract
The 'Flynn effect' refers to the massive increase in IQ test scores over the course of the twentieth century. Does it mean that each generation is more intelligent than the last? Does it suggest how each of us can enhance our own intelligence? Professor Flynn is finally ready to give his own views. He asks what intelligence really is and gives a surprising and illuminating answer. This expanded paperback edition includes three important new essays. The first contrasts the art of writing cognitive history with the science of measuring intelligence and reports data. The second outlines how we might get a complete theory of intelligence, and the third details Flynn's reservations about Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. A fascinating book that bridges the gulf separating our minds from those of our ancestors a century ago, and makes an important contribution to our understanding of human intelligence.
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Cohort differences in levels of cognitive functioning known from children and young adults extend to midlife and old age.
“Taken together, these reports suggest that cohort differences in levels of cognitive functioning known from studies of children and young adults (see Flynn, 2007) extend to midlife and old age.”
From Cohort differences in cognitive aging and terminal decline in the Seattle Longitudinal Study. (2011) · cites this paper as Flynn, 2007
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- Authors
- Flynn, J. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Otago (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Flynn, James R.
- Venue
- Cambridge University Press eBooks
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Published
- 2007-08-27
- OpenAlex
- W100384806
- Cited by
- 590
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 89 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 47
- FWCI
- 27.50
- Type
- book
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cambridge University Press eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › General Psychology › Academic and Historical Perspectives in Psychology
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Intelligence, Security, War Strategy
- Keywords
- intelligence, Flynn effect, cognitive history, intelligence testing, intelligence theory, multiple intelligences, Gardner, human cognition
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