Flynn effect

noun

The continuous worldwide increase in average scores on intelligence tests.

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Meanings

nounFlynn effect (plural Flynn effects)

plural Flynn effects

  1. The continuous worldwide increase in average scores on intelligence tests.

Origin

Named after American-born New Zealand moral philosopher and intelligence researcher Jim Flynn (1934–2020), who did much to document it and promote awareness of its implications.

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Cite this entry
APA

Flynn effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Flynn%20effect

MLA

“Flynn effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Flynn%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Flynn effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Flynn%20effect.

Source: Flynn effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.