One possible cause of the rise in IQ in the last century could be
the more visually stimulating environment that we live in.
Every cup, box, wall, etc. has writing and pictures on it.
For example, A McDonalds milk shake usually has
some kind of picture, game or puzzle printed on it in
bright colors.  This may be effecting the neural growth
of children.  They then score higher on IQ tests.
That does not necessarily mean they are actually smarter,
just that they get higher scores.

Also the "falling test scores in school" in the U.S.A.
is actually a very tiny reduction, and all the nations measured
are clustered very close together.  Probably children are graduating
from highschool better prepared than their parents were.



Richard Keene, Novell Inc, Provo, Utah, 801-861-4389, [log in to unmask]