while I.Q. doesn’t measure pure intellect — we’re not certain exactly what it does measure
It measures what it is set to measure. An IQ test given to school children measures their mastery of school subjects, and IQ test given to cadets measures their courage, quick thinking and whatever other skill is necessary to be a good cadet. So an IQ test is simply a test of certain skills and knowledge not intelligence as such.
That might explain why IQ has risen, since education is becoming more sophisticated, more are going to university, more people have access to information i.e. through internet, so too the skills and knowledge which is tested gives higher results.
That might also explain the adoption studies, the children in poor households have poor environment, i.e. no books and poor stimulation, i.e. parents don't engage them in conversations. So their knowledge suffers because they are expected to watch telly rather than play or read.
It measures what it is set to measure. An IQ test given to school children measures their mastery of school subjects, and IQ test given to cadets measures their courage, quick thinking and whatever other skill is necessary to be a good cadet. So an IQ test is simply a test of certain skills and knowledge not intelligence as such.
That might explain why IQ has risen, since education is becoming more sophisticated, more are going to university, more people have access to information i.e. through internet, so too the skills and knowledge which is tested gives higher results.
That might also explain the adoption studies, the children in poor households have poor environment, i.e. no books and poor stimulation, i.e. parents don't engage them in conversations. So their knowledge suffers because they are expected to watch telly rather than play or read.