Generational IQ test score changes and the positive manifold of intelligence: evidence from Austrian Air Force pilots and air traffic controllers (1992–2016)

Autor(en): Sandra Oberleiter, Jana Wurzer, Michael Mikas, Martin Held, Bettina Wieland, Elisabeth Lucia Zeilinger, Martin Voracek, Jakob Pietschnig
Abstrakt: 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(en): Institut für Psychologie der Entwicklung und Bildung, Institut für Klinische und Gesundheitspsychologie, Institut für Psychologie der Kognition, Emotion und Methoden
Externe Organisation(en): Vienna Doctoral School in Cognition, Behavior, and Neuroscience, Universität Wien, Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung, Akademie für Altersforschung am Haus der Barmherzigkeit
Journal: Frontiers in Psychology
Band: 16
Anzahl der Seiten: 10
ISSN: 1664-1078
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1547520
Publikationsdatum: 05-2025
Peer-reviewed: Ja
ÖFOS 2012: 501004 Differentielle Psychologie
Schlagwörter
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete: Allgemeine Psychologie
Link zum Portal: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/122d108b-d0fd-484b-a512-80ac0b42c491