Intelligence Differences across Years: A Trend Analysis

Abstract

Flynn effect which advocated that there was a rise in the IQ score was widely accepted by the relevant scientific community. However, this effect has been reversed in recent years. In this study both Flynn and anti-Flynn effects were investigated. The purpose of this study is to determine the trend of students' general, verbal, and visual intelligence scores in the last 6 years (2016-2021). The participant of study included 2192 students who were first grade. To measure general, verbal, and visual intelligence of the participant, Anadolu-Sak Intelligence Scale (ASIS) was used. ASIS is the first intelligence test developed and standardized in Turkey. Participants’ mean of general, verbal, and visual intelligence scores in different years were compared by trend analysis. The research findings showed that there was a downward tendency in general, verbal, and visual scores between the years of 2016 to 2021. Moreover, our findings reveal that there is a sharp decrease between 2020 and 2021. Girls' GIQ, VIQ, and NIQ scores of 2021 showed a sharp decline compared to boys. As a result of this study, it can be said that the Flynn effect has gone into reversed.