ARE MODERN TECHNOLOGIES MAKING PEOPLE SMARTER OR LESS INTELLIGENT?
Keywords:
Intellectual development, thinking process, attention span, modern technologies, social media, short videos, information flow, reading habits, independent thinking, cognitive abilities, impatience, digital content consumption, human intelligence.Abstract
This article examines whether people are becoming smarter over time or, conversely, whether their cognitive and intellectual abilities are declining. Particular attention is given to the impact of modern technologies, social media, and short videos on human attention and thinking processes. The article discusses the decreasing ability to maintain long-term concentration, read books, and engage in deep thinking. It also explores how the rapid flow of information, excessive internet use, and constant consumption of entertainment content may lead to impatience, reduced interest span, and weakened independent thinking. In addition, the positive aspects of modern technologies are considered, and possible solutions to these issues are suggested.
References
1. Trahan LH, Stuebing KK, Fletcher JM, Hiscock M. The Flynn effect: A meta-analysis // Psychological Bulletin. 2014. Vol. 140, No. 5. P. 1332–1360. DOI: 10.1037/a0037173. PMID: 24979188.
2. Baker DP, Eslinger PJ, Benavides M, Peters E, Dieckmann NF, Leon J. The cognitive impact of the education revolution: A possible cause of the Flynn Effect on population IQ // Intelligence. 2015. Vol. 49. P. 144–158. DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2015.01.003.
3. Flynn JR. What Is Intelligence: Beyond the Flynn Effect. Expanded paperback ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. P. 1–2.
4. Haig BD. Detecting psychological phenomena: Taking bottom-up research seriously // The American Journal of Psychology. 2013. Vol. 126, No. 2. P. 135–153. DOI: 10.5406/amerjpsyc.126.2.0135. PMID: 23858950.
5. Wicherts JM, Dolan CV, Hessen DJ, Oosterveld P, van Baal GCM, Boomsma DI, Span MM. Are intelligence tests measurement invariant over time? Investigating the nature of the Flynn effect // Intelligence. 2004. Vol. 32, No. 5. P. 509–537. DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2004.07.002.
6. Te Nijenhuis J, De Jong MJ, Evers A, Van Der Flier H. Are cognitive differences between immigrant and majority groups diminishing? // European Journal of Personality. 2004. Vol. 18, No. 5. P. 405–434. DOI: 10.1002/per.511.
7. Teshaboyeva N, Nazarova ZR. The impact of AI on students’ thinking skills. [Manuscript].
