Generational IQ test score changes and the positive manifold of intelligence: evidence from Austrian Air Force pilots and air traffic controllers (1992–2016)
- Author(s)
- Sandra Oberleiter, Jana Wurzer, Michael Mikas, Martin Held, Bettina Wieland, Elisabeth Lucia Zeilinger, Martin Voracek, Jakob Pietschnig
- Abstract
Increasingly inconsistent generational IQ test score change patterns across recent decades have been suggested to be due to increased ability differentiation as a consequence of cross-temporally decreasing strengths of the positive manifold of intelligence. Here, we investigate the Flynn effect and directly test the idea of a changing positive manifold, based on the performance of N = 204 Austrian Air Force pilots and air traffic controllers across twelve IQ subtests. Subscale change scores indicated consistent gains in measures related to the CHC (Cattell-Horn-Carroll) stratum II domains of fluid reasoning, quantitative knowledge, and retrieval. However, change patterns in the stratum II domains working memory and comprehension knowledge were ambiguous and suggest stratum I-based differentiation of the Flynn effect. In all, our results indicate positive and substantial Flynn effects in the majority of examined subscales, but no evidence for any meaningful changes in the positive manifold strength.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology
- External organisation(s)
- Vienna Doctoral School in Cognition, Behavior, and Neuroscience, University of Vienna, Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung, Akademie für Altersforschung am Haus der Barmherzigkeit
- Journal
- Frontiers in Psychology
- Volume
- 16
- No. of pages
- 10
- ISSN
- 1664-1078
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1547520
- Publication date
- 05-2025
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 501004 Differential psychology
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Psychology
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/122d108b-d0fd-484b-a512-80ac0b42c491