The mean IQ of Americans: Massive gains 1932 to 1978.

Flynn, James R.

doi:10.1037/0033-2909.95.1.29

Cited by 1,206Cognitive Abilities and TestingPsychometric Methodologies and TestingIntergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies

The mean IQ of Americans: Massive gains 1932 to 1978.

Flynn, James R.·1984·Psychological Bulletin

DOI 10.1037/0033-2909.95.1.29

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Abstract

This study shows that every Stanford-Binet and Wechsler standardization sample from 1932 to 1978 established norms of a higher standard than its predecessor. The obvious interpretation of this pattern is that representative samples of Americans did better and better on IQ tests over a period of 46 years, the total gain amounting to a rise in mean IQ of 13.8 points. The implications of this finding are developed: The combination of IQ gains and the decline in Scholastic Aptitude Test scores seems almost inexplicable; obsolete norms have acted as an unrecognized confounding variable in hundreds of studies; and IQ gains of this magnitude pose a serious problem of causal explanation.

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“…finding in the current study are most likely a Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.org 8 March 2015 | Volume 6 | Article 297 result ofmultiple interacting factors, whichmay include sampling and socio-cultural changes in SA over the last 20 years, including the Flynn (1984, 1987, 2009) effect.”
Background
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Authors: Flynn, J. R.
Affiliations: University of Otago (NZ)
Corresponding author: Flynn, James R.
Venue: Psychological Bulletin
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 1984-01
Volume: 95
Issue: 1
Pages: 29-51
ISSN: 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
1939-1455
DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.95.1.29
OpenAlex: W2037951270
Semantic Scholar: 437a8a00a127a07f59d37e258344ee5669bd3a6b
Cited by: 1,206
References: 94
Citations by year: 2026: 34 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 44 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 50 · 2012: 41
FWCI: 33.18
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Intergenerational and Educational Inequality Studies
Keywords: IQ gains, Stanford-Binet, Wechsler intelligence tests, standardization sample, confounding variables, causal explanation, intelligence trends

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The mean IQ of Americans: Massive gains 1932 to 1978.

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