Answer: IQ
Clues: “Dumb” and “Dummer”
There’s no single explanation for this downward trend. Some experts speculate that a range of factors could be at play, including poor nutrition, deteriorating health, and even increased media exposure. However, the study authors suggest that a significant shift in education may also be contributing.
Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing emphasis on STEM education—science, technology, engineering, and math—which may come at the expense of other cognitive skills, such as abstract reasoning and critical thinking.
Are Americans Getting Dumber? New Study Shows Alarming IQ Decline Across 4 Out of 5 Key Areas