Rise of human intelligence Comments on Howard (1999)

Based upon the evidence that the best chess players in the world are becoming increasingly represented by relatively young individuals, Howard [Intelligence 27 (1999) 235–250.] claimed that human intelligence is rising over generations. We suggest that this explanation has several difficulties and show that alternative explanations relating to changes in the chess environment, including increased access to chess knowledge, offer better explanations for the increased presence of young players at top-level chess. D 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

[1]  F. Gobet,et al.  Visuospatial abilities of chess players. , 2002, British journal of psychology.

[2]  N. Charness.  Visual short-term memory and aging in chess players. , 1981, Journal of gerontology.

[3]  U. Neisser.  RISING SCORES ON INTELLIGENCE TESTS , 1997 .

[4]  Jeffrey L. Cummings,et al.  The Exceptional Brain: Neuropsychology of Talent and Special Abilities , 1989 .

[5]  J. Flynn.  Massive IQ gains in 14 nations: What IQ tests really measure. , 1987 .

[6]  Jörg Doll,et al.  Intelligenz und Schachleistung—eine Untersuchung an Schachexperten. , 1987 .

[7]  Intelligence , 1836, The Medico-chirurgical review.

[8]  James R. Flynn,et al.  The mean IQ of Americans: Massive gains 1932 to 1978. , 1984 .

[9]  Neil Charness,et al.  Participation Rates and Maximal Performance: A Log-Linear Explanation for Group Differences, Such as Russian and Male Dominance in Chess , 1996 .

[10]  Robert J. Crutcher,et al.  The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. , 1993 .

[11]  Robert W. Howard,et al.  Preliminary Real-World Evidence That Average Human Intelligence Really is Rising , 1999 .

[12]  Denise C. Park,et al.  Handbook of the Psychology of Aging , 1979 .

[13]  Stephen D. Clark,et al.  Introductory Statistics—A Modelling Approach , 1995 .

[14]  Neil Charness,et al.  The role of practice and coaching in entrepreneurial skill domains: An international comparison of life-span chess skill acquisition. , 1996 .

[15]  Neil Charness,et al.  Expertise in chess: The balance between knowledge and search. , 1991 .

[16]  S. Murphy,et al.  Psychological interventions: a life development model. , 1995 .

[17]  M. Frydman,et al.  The general intelligence and spatial abilities of gifted young Belgian chess players. , 1992, British journal of psychology.

[18]  M. Albert,et al.  The Chess Mind , 1960 .

[19]  Richard Lynn,et al.  The role of nutrition in secular increases in intelligence , 1990 .

[20]  Age , 2000, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[21]  P. Wason,et al.  The Psychology of Chess , 1983 .

[22]  A. D. D. Groot.  Thought and Choice in Chess , 1978 .

[23]  Robin J. Caster.  Handbook of the Psychology of Aging, 5th ed. , 2003 .

[24]  N. Charness,et al.  Aging and skilled problem solving. , 1981, Journal of experimental psychology. General.