A researcher is examining the intelligence test scores of two large samples of American adults: one tested in the early 1970s and one tested this year. He is especially interested in scores on the vocabulary subtest of the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale and scores on the Raven's Progressive Matrices test. How might the contemporary sample's scores compare to those of the 1970s sample on booth measures?
A) The present-day sample's scores should be similar to those of the 1970s sample on both tests.
B) The present-day sample's scores should be similar to those of the 1970s sample on the vocabulary test, but higher than those of the 1970s sample on the Matrices test.
C) The present-day sample's scores should be higher than those of the 1970s sample on the vocabulary test, but similar to those of the 1970s sample on the Matrices test.
D) The present-day sample's scores should be higher than those of the 1970s sample on both tests.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Flynn effect suggests that IQ scores, including those on tests like the Raven's Progressive Matrices, have been increasing over time due to various factors such as better nutrition, education, and environmental complexity. However, vocabulary scores are more stable over time because they are heavily influenced by culture and education, which do not necessarily improve in the same way as abstract problem-solving abilities.

A Researcher Is Examining the Intelligence Test Scores of Two