Invited Speaker: Simon Crowe

Abstract: For nearly a century, researchers have observed that there is an incremental increase in IQ scores in the order of 0.3 IQ points per year or 10 IQ points per decade, as a function of the passage of time. Measures to deal with this pervasive effect and to ensure that intellectual measurement continues to be accurate and reliable has been the rationale behind for the necessity to re-standardise intelligence tests approximately every 17 years. It has also resulted in broader diagnostic windows in determining cutting scores for high stakes cognitive assessments such as the IQ score component of the diagnosis of intellectual disability (DSM-5-TR) as well  in death sentence cases in the United States. This paper examines a number of aspects of the Flynn effect and attempts to explore and possibly account for this curious and largely unexplained phenomenon. It will also address the vexing issue of the recent observations that the Flynn  effect is reversing. The paper will explore the following issues: 1. What is the Flynn effect, including characterising its size and prevalence? 2. Why does it matter? 3. Is the effect a phenomenon specific to IQ scores or does it affect other neuropsychologically relevant measurements, such as memory functioning and the prediction of pre-morbid IQ? 4. How might the Flynn effect occur and why? 5. Is the Flynn effect reversing and why? 6. The implications of the reversal of the Flynn effect and its relevance and clinical implication for practising neuropsychologists.

 

Learning objectives:

To outline the nature of the Flynn effect and to attempt to characterise why it occurs and its scope.

 

To explore the more recent data regarding the Flynn effect and to hypothesise why the Flynn effect appears to be reversing.

 

To discuss the implications of the Flynn effect and its reversal for practising neuropsychologists.

 

 

Level: Intermediate. This presentation will suit early career neuropsychologists, or experienced neuropsychologists looking to refresh and update their knowledge regarding the Flynn effect.

 

Presenter: Simon Crowe, PhD

Dr Crowe is Emeritus Professor at La Trobe University and Adjunct Professor at the Cairnmillar Institute. Dr Simon Crowe is a national and international leader in psychology specialising in Clinical Neuropsychology and Behavioural Neuroscience and has a strong track record of publications and grants in both of these fields.  He is a Fellow and Honorary Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and a Fellow of the College of Clinical Psychologists, Clinical Neuropsychologists and Forensic Psychologists of the APS.  He is also a Fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology (USA), a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (USA) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  He has received a range of prestigious national awards for his teaching and research. He has contributed in a powerful way to the internationalisation of Australian psychology as an ambassador to the International Union of Psychological Science, as a past member of the Union’s Executive Committee (i.e. Board of Directors), and as the current Chair of the Asia Pacific Psychology Alliance, a group representing the psychological societies of the Asia Pacific region. He has held numerous other positions in psychology including Chair and Member of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, Chief Examiner for VCE Psychology in Victoria and has contributed powerfully to the Australian Psychological Society as Board member and President, Chair of the College of Clinical Neuropsychologists and as Chair of the Division of Psychological Research, Education and Teaching. He has also previously been Chair of the Alcohol Related Brain Injury Assessment and Support Service (ARBIAS) as well as conducting an extensive clinical practice in Clinical Neuropsychology as consultant to the Transport Accident Commission, Victorian WorkCover Authority, Corrections Victoria and the Children’s Court Clinic.