According to the author of our assigned book, the differences observed in the Flynn effect are likely due to: A environmental factors. B innate intellectual abilities. C multiple intelligences. D innate athletic abilities.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: A. Environmental factors
The Flynn effect refers to the observed substantial and long-sustained increase in intelligence test scores measured in many parts of the world over the twentieth century. According to the author of the assigned book, the differences observed in the Flynn effect are most likely due to environmental factors rather than innate abilities. This interpretation emphasizes that the rise in IQ scores over generations cannot be attributed to genetic evolution because the timeline is too short for such changes to occur.
Environmental factors include improvements in nutrition, increased access to education, smaller family sizes, more exposure to visual media and technology, and more cognitively demanding work environments. These changes have led to individuals developing better problem-solving skills, abstract thinking, and reasoning abilities, all of which are tested in modern IQ assessments.
Another important environmental influence is the shift in educational practices. The modern school curriculum places a greater emphasis on logic, classification, and abstract reasoning. These are cognitive skills that are directly measured in intelligence tests. Over time, people have become more familiar with the format and expectations of such tests, which may contribute to improved performance across generations.
This explanation aligns with the idea that intelligence is not fixed and can be shaped by social and cultural influences. If genetics were the sole determinant of intelligence, then such a significant and rapid increase in scores across populations would not be possible.
In summary, the Flynn effect provides strong support for the impact of environmental influences on cognitive development. It challenges fixed notions of intelligence and highlights the role of context, education, and living conditions in shaping intellectual abilities. Therefore, the most accurate explanation for the differences observed in the Flynn effect is environmental factors.