Age and Intelligence; Cross-Sectional Research and the Flynn Effect

                In chapter 21 the author of the textbook goes into details about the research on the age of intelligence. I found this part relatively interesting due to how they had initially thought that after adolescence the mind basically starts declining. I like how the US Army thought of people reaching their peak at the age of 18 which lead me to believe that people could quite possibly become even further advanced. My idea is that quite like the physiology of people reaching their most fit and best shape aptitude in their mid 20s that people’s minds should also act accordingly due to it being a time of solid adjustments from college years to them becoming societies resources.

                Another part of this section that was interesting was them studying those from a small area in New England. I found it to be of value due to them basically keeping people who have been born and raised there (somewhat like the nature vs. nurture argument) and that were genetically made of the same fabric within families (kind of like the research behind twins). The people from New England showed to be reaching their optimum intelligence quotient (IQ) between 18- 21 similar to the study the US Army brought to our attention.

                The Flynn Effect was another thing that I could understand and more so be able to see when it comes to how people evolving over time. I like to think that over time people should be able to gain more intelligence than their ancestors due to the vast resources we have in this day and age. Developed countries do have a significant advantage, however; we must do our best to take advantage of such things.