Searching the real world for signs of rising population intelligence

Average raw scores on IQ tests have been rising for decades but it still is controversial whether population intelligence really is increasing. The present study looked at several real world indicators for evidence of a rise. First, the prevalence of mild mental retardation in the US population and elsewhere has been steadily declining for decades. Second, players in various intellectual games, particularly chess but to a lesser extent bridge and go, are reaching high performance levels at earlier and earlier ages. There are many more prodigies. Third, scientific productivity, measured by number of journal articles and patents awarded, has risen greatly over the last few decades, even though much top intellectual talent may be shifting from science. Finally, I surveyed perceptions of teachers who had taught in high schools for over 20 years. Most reported perceiving that average general intelligence, ability to do school work, and literacy skills of school children had not risen since 1979 but most believed that childrens’s practical ability had increased. Most reported perceiving a decline in students’s motivation, which may be affecting their perceptions of general intelligence. All these trends have various possible causes other than rising intelligence. However, together, and with other recent empirical evidence, most indicators suggest population intelligence really could be rising.