# Generational IQ test score changes and the positive manifold of intelligence: evidence from Austrian Air Force pilots and air traffic controllers (1992–2016)

## TL;DR

This study examines changes in IQ scores among Austrian Air Force pilots and air traffic controllers from 1992 to 2016 to understand trends in intelligence and the Flynn effect.

## Contribution

The study provides direct evidence on the changing positive manifold of intelligence and the Flynn effect using a specialized professional group.

## Key findings

- IQ scores showed consistent gains in fluid reasoning, quantitative knowledge, and retrieval domains.
- Working memory and comprehension knowledge showed ambiguous changes, suggesting stratum I-based differentiation.
- There was no evidence of meaningful changes in the strength of the positive manifold of intelligence.

## Abstract

Increasingly inconsistent generational IQ test score change patterns across recent decades have been suggested to be due to increased ability differentiation as a consequence of cross-temporally decreasing strengths of the positive manifold of intelligence. Here, we investigate the Flynn effect and directly test the idea of a changing positive manifold, based on the performance of N = 204 Austrian Air Force pilots and air traffic controllers across twelve IQ subtests. Subscale change scores indicated consistent gains in measures related to the CHC (Cattell-Horn-Carroll) stratum II domains of fluid reasoning, quantitative knowledge, and retrieval. However, change patterns in the stratum II domains working memory and comprehension knowledge were ambiguous and suggest stratum I-based differentiation of the Flynn effect. In all, our results indicate positive and substantial Flynn effects in the majority of examined subscales, but no evidence for any meaningful changes in the positive manifold strength.