Class of 76 ‘cleverer’ than kids of today
The intellect of even the brainiest 14-year-olds has deteriorated dramatically over the decades despite an increase in the number of pupils achieving top grades in exams.
Their cognitive abilities are level with those of 12-year-olds in 1976, the study found.
Researchers at King’s College London compared the mental agility of 800 bright 13 and 14-year-olds with similar tests carried out some three decades ago.
The tests – designed to assess grasp of abstract scientific concepts such as volume, density, quantity and weight – found far fewer youngsters hit top scores than in 1976.
In one test, average achievement remained roughly the same as in 1976.
But only just over one in ten pupils were able to demonstrate a “higher level of thinking” compared to one in four in 1976.
My brother was in the class of ’76. They were all pretty smart. I was class of ’74. We were all stoners.
Still, I got a 1430 on the GRE.
Blah blah blah.
I’d say that people in general today are less knowledgeable about certain things(history, math, civics, and more knowledgeable about others (trivia, pop culture, music). The big thing, though is that they are very, very unwilling to admit they’re wrong, and very, very unwilling to take blame. We’re slowly turing into a civilization of whiny think they know-it-alls.
Declines in scores can be caused by a lot of factors, some of them statistical in nature like over testing as the article points out (regression to the mean). But, it’s still something worth investigating.
I’ve always wondered why we’ve dropped the “liberal arts” components from schools like philosophy. Arguments around subjects like creationism vs. scientific theory are better done in that setting where philosophy of science and rhetoric are actually studied.
“Pickpockets” ??? Isn’t that what they do on WALL STREET – AND THEN ***DEMAND BAILOUTS*** ??? “Free-Market Capitalism” ONLY WORKS FOR ***CROOKS*** !!!
With a pResident who asks “Is our Children learning?” – no wonder today’s kids aren’t as smart as in years gone by !!! And if you want to know why, just find out what Private Schools in your area charge for Tuition and compare that to the Per-Student Expenditure for your local Public School, and you will see the difference !!! The Public Schools are being shortchanged and Goverernment is trying to do it ON THE CHEAP !!!
Surprising? No. In CA a couple decades ago the TU decided to stop teaching reading in elementary school.
Get rid of the union and you’re 50% done in fixing the system.
Let’s see. In our society we reward the criminal – CEO “golden parachute” – trashing companies to maximize their payouts, then bailing- etc., political corruption – I would really like to meet an honest politician – how is it that politicians are relatively of modest means when entering office, but millionaires – at least – when they leave office, and the list goes on. The old work ethics – honest labor, loyalty, will pay dividends has morphed into maximum profit at all costs, nothing is illegal unless you get caught, always set up the fall guy/gal just in case, etc.
As a society we have lost any semblance of integrity. This isn’t “bible thumping”, but a basic issue of right and wrong – common sense. We, as a whole, reward criminal behavior.
I played by the rules, served in the military in combat, went on to receive my Ph.D., hold basic technology patents in communications – like your cell phone? (oh yeah – the company receives all the profits – the inventor receives a plaque), scientist of the year, etc. etc. Now I am getting older and am starting to have some health issues. Guess what – I am about to loose my job because two younger more inexperienced “less expensive” people can take my place. I’ll probably end up loosing my home, etc. I want to continue, but am being forced out in the name of profit.
So tell me, what possible incentive does our youth have to pursue an engineering / scientific career? I believe today’s youth is ever bit as intelligent and ambitious as any past generation. There is a lack of vision and hope, and for good reason. Those that seem to be graduating in the sciences, very few – there is no incentive in our society to do well in academics, lack the necessary training, both education and experience, to carry on with real engineering, much less R&D, instead we have created, and encouraged a generation of spreadsheet jockeys and PowerPoint gurus. Success is now measured by how many ideas you “borrowed”, and the number of careers you have destroyed to your advantage – lean management. Problem is, engineering, in all its facets, goes far beyond the smoke and mirrors. There is a fundamental lack of understanding or desire to achieve – and for good reason. We have lost the talent to translate vision into reality. This can be rebuilt, but it will take at least a generation to do so. The neat stuff of today isn’t new, just scale of economy, slave labor, and evolving capability made the technology affordable.
In terms of engineering, ever hear of outsourcing? All US research has ceased to exist. It has been sold for short term profit to cheap labor markets in China, Malaysia, India, etc. I do not blame these countries, per se; they saw an opportunity and took advantage of it. The research you hear and read about in this country is not research in the true sense, but the extension of technology created 40+ years ago. Nothing wrong with this, spinning old technology has limits, but the future will depend on basic technology breakthroughs which, in turn, will fuel the future economy. Such research is not, and has not, for the past 10 – 15 years, been conducted in this country. This necessary research and normal engineering efforts are conducted elsewhere where wages are dirt cheap, no health care, no retirement, no EPA, and partnership with questionable governments at the expense of their respective citizens, and the global community as a whole.
Yeah, OK, I’m standing on a soapbox – just a bit. The point is we have lost our way. This includes a sense of pride, right and wrong, and placing the maximized almighty dollar (choose your currency) above all else. Money and power are interchangeable, only the rate of exchange varies. Things are going to get much worse. The value / quality of human life is determined by the return on investment and liability. Essentially we are all cannon fodder.
There is nothing wrong with competing in a global market, as long as the playing field is level and encourage realizing a vision.
Got news for you Uncle Dave…far more kids back then believed/held to Creationism than Darwinism. That was only for the educated elite.
But on the whole I would agree with your point that it seems kids quick mentally than they used to be. Do they have as much to strive for??
I was appalled to read of the Dallas School Systems recommendation letting kids retake any test within a year and have the grade replaced. Clearly this is setting the bar very low. What do people expect from such thinking?? I would have yanked my kids from such a school.
MikeD, thanks for the soapbox. Great post.
Stinker said “Got news for you Uncle Dave…far more kids back then believed/held to Creationism than Darwinism.”
Pew research would disagree with you. The numbers have held fairly steady (~50% +/- 3 favoring some form of creationism) in the US since 1982 for the general population.
As far as the original post, homo sapiens has had the same intelligence since at least cromagnon. Each generation as intelligent/smart as the rest. As alluded to, perhaps most recent generations were taught to use their intelligence to think thru open ended hypotheticals, while today they are taught to shop, play games, or program a LAN. When the tests still measure open ended thinking ability, the oldsters will score better. Change the tests, and the results change too.
Every “test” measures the tester as well as the testee. Isn’t that the name of some new tv show? Haven’t caught it yet.
#10 QB “(~50% +/- 3 favoring some form of creationism) in the US since 1982 for the general population.”
Ummm, 1976 was before 1982. I think you just make the point of this blog entry.
#6 Mike D. Good post. Thanks.
Anti-intellectualism is the new fad. “eggheads” are enemies like they were post ww2.
#12 Hmmmm. Let me write slowly so you get it this time.
From an earlier post, I think that critical thinking isn’t taught in schools, especially in the areas of philosophy.
I am also slightly skeptical of the research testing approach, but it’s worth investigating. Yes, it looks like something is wrong, let’s figure out what it is.
Looking at the Pew data (let’s assume 26 years is a reliable trend) it seems that religious beliefs around creationism have held steady. So that would probably rule that out.
Therefore, I’m arguing that it isn’t religious beliefs but is probably due to other factors. One option for improvement might be to teach basic critical thinking skills (logic, rhetoric, argument, etc) which would help in most other areas.
Just for the record, I am favor of debate around creationism vs. scientific methodology in schools. But please teach in the right place, not in biology.
Now, it sounds like you think creationist beliefs is the cause (or a major contributing factor) to the problems. Why?
#14 QB, “One option for improvement might be to teach basic critical thinking skills (logic, rhetoric, argument, etc) which would help in most other areas.”
Basic reading, writing and math come before those. Until those basics are taught well by 4th grade, nothing else can be done.
#15 Paddy-O said: “Ummm, 1976 was before 1982. I think you just make the point of this blog entry.”
Again, I ask. Why do you think religious belief, especially related to creationism, is affecting the scores?
#16 QB “Again, I ask. Why do you think religious belief, ”
I never said that. I just pointed out that the study you referenced wasn’t relevant to the blog entry as it didn’t go back far enough to make a correlation.
Oh Paddy-O. That is so weak. You’re really, really disappointing me.
#18 – Just because he owned you is no reason to get pissy.
#18 QB, You’ve just proved the premise of the article posted by Uncle Dave.
#9 bobbo “Yep, tell your kids about outsourcing and choose a career that cannot be outsourced. I know an Anglo office cleaner. He’s well off. Can’t outsource cleaning services, plumbing,”
I had to read this twice. My wife and I were talking about the exact same thing. We even talked about a plumber not being able to be outsourced and thus a good future career choice.
Interesting topic. Too bad you couldn’t start your own topic on DU.
James, Paddy-O laid down. He usually brings a better game. I like that about him.
You’re just boring and predictable. “Someone finally responded to me so I own you. I will accept your worship now.” Mustard, Paddy, pedro, bobbo are all way more fun and interesting.
#22 Come on QB, it’s early and you slipped up. I do it on occasion too. Especially, B.C. (before coffee). 🙂
#23 Ha. No way. I’m always perfect.
I owe you a Kona. 😉
Uncle Dave said, in part:
“Combine this with the decline in the numbers of students going into science and engineering, the decline in teaching critical thinking, the general anti-intellectual path we’re on, the rise in voodoo science like creationism and powerful anti-science adherents and the future ain’t bright…”
Frankly, some days all you have to do is read (some of) the comments on this blog to see these trends in action.
Some observations:
When I went to parochial and public school from 1956 to 1967, there was a military and space race going on, and learning math, science, history, and reading were emphasized. We took the Iowa tests every so often, but we were not “taught for the test,” as the results of the test helped teachers with individual students needs. Our teaching was geared toward getting us into community colleges or universities so we could win the Cold War.
Now, similar tests are taken as a standard for school funding, which is not the original intent of such tests.
So kids are now taught so they’ll do well on these tests, but if a subject isn’t covered on the test it isn’t emphasized any more.
Unintended consequence: the kids that pass these tests don’t know anything but the stuff on the tests, and problem solving skills are down the tubes.
“No Child left Behind” is leaving children behind.
well, half the people in the united states (aka conservatives) think that scientists are stupid and politically motivated even though they are professional educators and researchers, and think their leaders like george w. bush and sarah palin are wise and not politically motivated, even though they are professional politicians, so there’s your problem right there.
I am class or 87 and with Uncle Dave.
#27 grog said, “even though they are professional educators”
Oh, like the guys educating kids since ’76.
Gotcha.
paddy, paddy, paddy
love how you side-step the fact that bush can’t speak in complete sentences, and that sarah palin is a moron.
the survey is about high school kids, not college students.
thank you, try again.
#30 grog said, “the survey is about high school kids, not college students.”
Correct. College is where K-12 teachers are trained to be teachers. You really don’t grasp cause and effect well, do you? “LIKE the guys educating kids…”