Cognitive Functions

Are We Smarter Than People 100 Years Ago?

Explore whether individuals today are smarter than those from 100 years ago. Dive into intelligence, cognitive functions, education, and the impact of technology in this comprehensive analysis.

Mia Brown

24 Jan 2025 — 5 min read

Have modern advances made us smarter than our ancestors? This is a big question about intelligence, education, and how our world has changed. Let’s explore what influences our thinking today versus a century ago.

Before comparing generations, we need to understand intelligence. Intelligence includes skills like memory, problem-solving, and adaptability. People often measure it using IQ (Intelligence Quotient) tests, which focus on specific mental abilities.

But, IQ tests do not account for emotional intelligence, creativity, or practical skills, making them only one part of the picture.

The Flynn Effect: What It Means for IQ Scores

What Is the Flynn Effect? The Flynn Effect describes the steady rise in average IQ scores over the past century. Researchers credit this trend to:

Improved Nutrition: Better diets support brain development.
Widespread Education: Universal schooling has raised cognitive abilities.
Access to Information: The internet and books have expanded learning opportunities.

Still, higher IQ scores don’t always mean people are smarter. It might mean they are better at taking these kinds of tests.

Additionally, a recent article by Shanmugasundaram and Tamilarasu (2023) emphasizes that digital technology, social media, and artificial intelligence have profoundly affected our cognitive functions, including attention, memory, and decision-making. Technology shapes how we develop and use our cognitive abilities in daily life.

Education and Access to Information

How Education Shapes Intelligence?

Education has undergone significant transformations over the past century. Today, mandatory schooling is widespread, and higher education is more accessible than ever before. This shift has several implications:

Broad Knowledge: Students today learn a wider range of subjects.
Specialized Skills: Many educational systems focus on training for specific professions.
Critical Thinking: Modern schools emphasize analytical and problem-solving skills.

A study shows that digital tools like smartphones and AI offer new ways to learn. But, they also cause issues like information overload and distractions. These problems can hurt learning. Using both digital tools and traditional methods is key to better cognitive development.

How Technology Changes Learning?

The internet has transformed how we learn. You can find almost anything online. This is helpful but can also be overwhelming.

Advantages: Online platforms and digital tools offer fast and accessible learning resources.
Drawbacks: Too much information makes it hard to focus.

The study explains how AI tools help with cognitive tasks. They can boost human abilities but may weaken critical thinking. Over-relying on AI risks cognitive offloading. Mindful technology use is crucial to gain benefits and avoid drawbacks.

Comparing Skills: Then and Now

A century ago, daily life required a different set of skills, many of which are less essential today. For example, knowing how to:

Past Skills: Self-reliance, practical knowledge of tools, and agricultural expertise.
Modern Skills: Digital literacy, teamwork, and technical specialization.

But digital tools also cause problems, like shorter attention spans. According to researchers, this affects young people the most.

Are We Smarter or Just Different?

Biological Intelligence vs. Environment. From an evolutionary perspective, human intelligence hasn’t changed significantly in 100 years. Instead, differences are driven by environmental factors like health, nutrition, and cultural influences.

Improved Conditions: Better healthcare and education enhance cognitive abilities.
Challenges: Digital distractions, such as excessive reliance on technology, can impair focus and critical thinking.

The study shows that digital multitasking harms deep learning. It leads to shallow understanding and limits general knowledge. Focused and intentional learning can help balance specialized and general knowledge.

Actionable Insight: Encouraging healthier lifestyles and mindful technology use supports balanced cognitive development.

Debates and Contrasting Views

Arguments for Increased Intelligence

Proponents of the idea that individuals today are smarter argue that:

Average IQ scores have risen over time. This rise, called the Flynn Effect, suggests improved thinking skills.
Better Education: More comprehensive education systems foster intellectual growth and critical thinking skills.
Technology gives us faster access to information. Digital tools make learning and problem-solving easier

The study shows that AI tools can improve learning. They offer personalized and adaptive experiences. This supports the idea that modern technology boosts cognitive abilities.

Arguments for No Significant Change

Contrary to the notion of increased intelligence, some argue that:

IQ isn’t enough. IQ tests don’t measure everything. They miss emotional and creative intelligence.
Modern people often lack survival skills. They rely on technology for daily tasks. This shows a difference in intelligence, not superiority.
Cognitive Offloading. Using technology for memory and calculations can weaken our ability to develop these skills.

The study shows that too much digital use can harm attention and memory. Some cognitive skills may improve, but others can weaken. This suggests intelligence is not growing evenly in all areas.

Middle Ground: Different Forms of Intelligence

A balanced view shows that intelligence has many sides. Environmental changes have shaped some cognitive skills. Today, people excel in digital literacy and processing information. In the past, intelligence focused more on practical and survival skills.

Cognitive Functions and Societal Changes

Impact of Technology on Cognitive Functions

Technology has reshaped how we engage our cognitive functions:

Memory: With information readily available online, the need for memorization has diminished.
Attention Span: Digital media moves quickly. This can make it harder to focus on one task for a long time.
Problem-Solving: Access to information facilitates problem-solving but may reduce deep analytical thinking.

Digital technology brings challenges like information overload and divided attention. These issues harm focus and deep thinking. Strategies like unplugging and embracing mindful technology use can resolve these problems.

Health and Cognitive Development

Improvements in healthcare have enhanced brain health, contributing to better cognitive functions:

Reduced Malnutrition: Proper nutrition supports brain development and function.
Healthcare Access: Better medical care prevents cognitive impairments caused by illnesses or injuries.
Mental health awareness has grown. Better understanding and treatment improve how we think and perform.

Digital addiction can change the brain's structure and function. It affects decision-making, impulse control, and emotional balance. Addressing digital addiction is essential for maintaining cognitive health in the digital age.

Intelligence in a Changing World

Are we smarter than people 100 years ago? The answer isn’t simple. Intelligence is more than just test scores. It includes how we think, adapt, and learn. Modern tools help us in some ways but hurt us in others.

Researchers remind us that balancing technology with mindful habits is key. In the end, intelligence is not just about knowing more—it’s about how we use what we know.

Key Points

Intelligence includes memory, problem-solving, and adaptability.
The Flynn Effect shows IQs are rising, but it might not mean we are smarter.
Education and technology change how we think and learn.
Digital tools can both help and harm our focus and skills.
Intelligence comes in many forms and can’t be measured by one test.