The “Flynn effect” and its paradoxes

This article consists of two parts. We first provide a brief overview of the causes and extent of the Flynn effect, before devoting the bulk of the text to discussing five paradoxes that may question the relevance of the Flynn effect: the paradox of mental retardation among our ancestors, the twin paradox or how genetics play a role, the paradox of the g factor or gf versus gc, the paradox of the apparent absence of a cultural boom, and the large family paradox. Following on from our discussion of this final paradox, we answer the following questions: Are dysgenics really a factor? Has the Flynn effect reached a limit? And who benefits from the Flynn effect?