The Flynn effect suggests that our minds change. We become smarter and our abstract thinking is more skilful. However, this growing development does not always go hand in hand with the growth of personal satisfaction or happiness, although it is likely that an acute mind will be able to solve some problems even better. , the emotional aspect remains an outstanding problem.
Much has been written about this theory since the days when researcher James R. Flynn of the University of Otago, New Zealand, created it in 1994. At the time, he published a very impressive story: the IQ of the population has suffered a steady increase. This is something that has been observed since the early twentieth century.
“Happiness is the weirdest thing among the smartest people. “- Ernest Hemingway-
In addition, other scientists and human intelligence specialists, such as psychologist Joe Rodgers of the University of Oklahoma, point to other interesting aspects. By examining the most frequently applied intelligence tests over the past 30 years, such as Wechsler’s intelligence scales, the increase in scores is observed each year, in a year-to-year comparison.
We are aware that something like this attracts a lot of attention and makes us think are you saying that our grandchildren will be better than us?To draw conclusions, however, there are some nuances to this theory that is very important to mention.
The Flynn effect indicates that today a child will get an average of about 10 points more than their parents in an intelligence test. According to this rule, it seems that the future of humanity will have much more skillful, sophisticated and potential minds. experts, however, raise arguments on some key issues.
Does this increase in IQ indicated by intelligence tests mean that our brain potential is “gross” increases in the same way?Improving our intellectual performance has made a significant leap with the industrial revolution, in this context aspects such as education, better nutrition and also technological advances are stimuli that have created a solid foundation for our minds to evolve.
In other words, intelligence progresses as society develops and we do so to better adapt. We need to be in tune with this world where information moves faster and faster, we want to be part of it, to be there for every technical breakthrough, for every change and innovation, therefore, a fact that has been observed in intelligence. Testing means an increase in the speed of response and the ability of today’s children to build relationships between objects.
The abstract reasoning of people, as well as the speed of their perception, improves year after year, neurologists tell us that all this can happen through the development of new technologies, interactive screens, games and the virtual world so full of stimuli that demand very quickly the answers change the way the human mind processes information.
It’s neither better nor worse. The Flynn effect reveals how we learn to react in an environment we create for ourselves.
But what about happiness?We also talk about personal satisfaction?, if every year people are better able to solve problems, innovate and facilitate the advancement of our world and our society ?, does this mean that we have higher levels of satisfaction and personal well-being?
Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, has published an article in the scientific journal of the American Association of Psychology that invites you to think in depth. The new generations, as some authors call them?Igen? Because of their technological relationship, they are full of clearly dissatisfied teenagers, they are described as hyperconnected, intolerant, dissatisfied children, un prepared for maturation.
Technological dependence has shaped a very complex new scenario, which is constantly updated and creates a new different landscape from the previous one, relationship patterns have also changed, which for many includes even the way you look at yourself and see the world. may be our outstanding question. If the Flynn effect makes us increasingly intellectually competent, we must also learn to survive better in an increasingly technological and sophisticated context.
On the other hand, we have a curious fact that deserves to be mentioned: the theory of transhumanism. According to this philosophical movement led by David Pearce and Nick Bostrom, two professors at oxford University, the future of humanity will be very interesting.
In the next century, humanity will make an evolutionary leap according to these authors, not only will we be smarter, but we will also be a society focused exclusively on hedonism and happiness, why is this going to happen?Fundamentally, because advances in genetic engineering, pharmacology, intracranial stimulation and molecular nanotechnology will put an end to disease and bring a high quality of life to aging.
What we can say today, waiting to see if this comes true or not, is: will we be a humanity of pleasure, or on the contrary, a melancholic humanity that inhabits a technological and aseptic society? Only one way is possible. But by looking at the present and directing our minds and intelligence not only towards progress, but also towards personal well-being, we may be more likely to choose our path. After all, a few more points on intelligence tests are useless if we are unable to create a happier reality for everyone.