An interesting article states that IQ scores and cognitive abilities are dropping in the U.S.. Further it indicates that it has been rising about 4-5 points per decade and but now has declined. It does not state why that decline is happening and there could be multiple factors. IQ is an important measurement for some type of skills and is often complemented by EQ and other factors such as environment and opportunity. In this case, the study just looks at IQ. Duh! 🎓 Are We Getting Dumber?
Let us consider a few contributing factors. A few random ideas I thought up and a few I took from the article.
-Over reliance on technology without the need to process root/data/analytic information. We get more productive but also more dependent on technology which limits our own cognitive reach and stress that leads to neural pathway growth. Hands on experience mixed with book knowledge helps to create deeper learning. There will be increases in some parts of the brain (spatial 3d) and weakening in others because we have limited our range of motion, activities, and learning. i.e. too much time on the computer and not enough outside. One way to improve one's life might be to engage in a range of activities such as boxing over to cycling to swimming and horseriding and spanning over to dance and art (You get the point about enrichment.). Variety seems to improve the density of networks and pricessing skills.
-We have so much nutrition that we are becoming out of shape and obesity is rising. It isn't the right type of nutrition and is heavily processed. Thus obesity, lack of physical activity, cancer, etc. and a general decline in lifespan. Research has shown that how we eat impacts our brain functioning. More fish typically leads to omega fatty acids the brain needs (something like that...check with your doctor.).
-Grade inflation. We want people to feel good so many schools and universities are experiencing grade inflation based on many factors that range from student pressure to perspectives of learning. To me, students should be challenged for growth in a way that empowers them to achieve and gain the confidence to know they can achieve if they invest the time/priority. (Online systems may be a little better than ground systems in understanding grade inflation because they can take a systematic whole view while in traditional campuses information is more dispersed and difficult to gather.)
-Sense of Purpose is something I think people sort of discount. In the days when we had to compete internationally (soon to likely be experienced again) we tried to maximize our resources. Helping people find their interests and purpose leads not only to life fulfillment but also eventual success and eminance. This means when people are internally motivated and know what they like early in life they can develop long term exceptional performance. Early education and university/trade education are paramount to long term success.
-Dumping the gifted into the streets. I am going to add this just for conversational sake. Gifted people come from a diverse background but more often then not we groom non-gifted high achievers based on their parent's wealth and social connections versus actual giftedness (bigotry costs society big time! Its just hard to see it if your benefiting as society is loosing). Thus, finding ways to find them and develop their gifts leads to higher innovation and development nationally. While they may have high IQ already they may also need the EQ and support to discover new ideas and fields. Online/Ground education could potentially find such people through their creative performance on some tasks ( I got a plan and am working on it based on how people choose assignments and the deep creativity in which they solve unique problems. Its different than non gifted and you can test for it.).
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