Are We Getting Smarter?: Rising IQ in the Twenty-First Century

The 'Flynn effect' is a surprising finding, identified by James R. Flynn, that IQ test scores have significantly increased from one generation to the next over the past century. Flynn now brings us an exciting new book which aims to make sense of this rise in IQ scores and considers what this tells us about our intelligence, our minds and society. Are We Getting Smarter? features fascinating new material on a variety of topics including the effects of intelligence in the developing world; the impact of rising IQ scores on the death penalty, cognitive ability in old age and the language abilities of youth culture; as well as controversial topics of race and gender. He ends with the message that assessing IQ goes astray if society is ignored. As IQ scores continue to rise into the twenty-first century, particularly in the developing world, the 'Flynn effect' marches on.

Table of Contents:
1. Opening windows; 2. IQ and intelligence; 3. Developing nations; 4. Death, memory, and politics; 5. Youth and age; 6. Race and gender; 7. The sociological imagination; 8. Progress and puzzles; Appendix I. IQ trends; Appendix II. Capital cases and comparing the WAIS-III IQs of various nations; Appendix III. Adult/child IQ trends and bright taxes/bonuses; Appendix IV. Gender and Raven's; Appendix V. Wonderful paper on causes of Raven's gains.

About the Author :
James R. Flynn is Professor Emeritus at the University of Otago, New Zealand, and a recipient of the University's Gold Medal for Distinguished Career Research. He is renowned for the 'Flynn effect', the documentation of massive IQ gains from one generation to another. Professor Flynn is the author of 12 books including Where Have All the Liberals Gone? (Cambridge University Press, 2008) and What Is Intelligence? (Cambridge University Press, 2007), which caused many to rethink the prevailing theory of intelligence.

Review :
'Flynn has made this field his own … This book's strengths are the authority of the author, the engaging writing style, the importance of the topics dealt with, and the up-to-date nature of the content.' Ian J. Deary, University of Edinburgh 'No one but James Flynn could have written this book. It contains his most recent ideas about the causes and implications of the massive rise in IQ test scores that has been termed the 'Flynn Effect', and is thus essential reading for anyone wishing to keep up to date with the latest thinking about the nature of IQ.' Nicholas Mackintosh, University of Cambridge 'The scholarship of this book is detailed and exhaustive. The originality of thinking is sprinkled throughout the beginning chapters, and reaches a peak in the final two. With his unique perspective, Flynn literally is 'opening new windows'.' Jonathan Wai, Duke University '… one of the most extraordinary science books I have ever read … Flynn can confidently look forward to immortality. His name will forever be attached to one of the most contentious, baffling and, for me, exhilarating scientific discoveries of our age.' Brian Appleyard, The Sunday Times