There has been much debate over which generation is the “smartest” based on various metrics like academic achievement, career success, technological prowess, and more. Each generation has their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to intelligence and aptitude. Determining which generation is truly the smartest depends a lot on how you define and measure intelligence.
How is intelligence measured across generations?
Intelligence can be measured in many different ways. Here are some common metrics used to compare the intelligence and aptitude of different generations:
– Academic achievement – Performance in school as measured by test scores, grades, graduation rates, and degree attainment.
– Career success – Occupational prestige, income, job satisfaction and fulfillment.
– Technological prowess – Ability to utilize and master new technologies.
– Creativity and innovation – Developing original ideas, products and solutions.
– Emotional intelligence – Ability to perceive, manage and understand emotions in oneself and others.
– Logic and reasoning – Capacity for critical thinking, problem solving and comprehension.
– Spatial abilities – Skills in visualizing shapes and navigating physical spaces.
– Memory – Ability to acquire, retain and recall information.
– Cognitive flexibility – Capacity to adapt thinking and processing to new situations.
There is no single test or metric that can definitively measure intelligence across different generations. Each generation has strengths and weaknesses when measured against these different criteria.
Academic achievement
If we look at academic achievement, metrics like high school graduation rates, college attendance and degree attainment show some generational differences.
High school graduation rates have increased over time, from about 75% for the Silent Generation (born 1925-1945) to over 80% for Baby Boomers (1946-1964) to nearly 90% for Millennials (1981-1996).
| Generation | High School Graduation Rate |
|---|---|
| Silent Generation | 75% |
| Baby Boomers | 80% |
| Generation X | 84% |
| Millennials | 88% |
College attendance and graduation rates also increased steadily from the Silent Generation to Millennials. About 5% of Silent Generation members had a bachelor’s degree, compared to 17% of Baby Boomers and 21% of Generation X. Over 30% of Millennials have a bachelor’s degree.
However, measuring intelligence simply by academic credentials has flaws. Access to education was more limited for older generations. Overall achievement has likely increased due to more people having the opportunity to pursue higher academics. It does not necessarily mean younger generations are more innately intelligent.
Standardized test scores like the SAT have remained relatively steady between generations. Average SAT scores in the 1980s and 1990s were very similar to today’s averages. This suggests academic abilities have not dramatically changed over time when measuring the general population.
Career success
In terms of occupational status and success, older generations like Boomers may have some advantages. Boomers and Silent Generation members were more likely to secure higher-status careers in fields like law, medicine and academia which require extensive specialized education.
Younger generations have had more difficulty reaching the same career status. Economic and workplace changes have led to fewer opportunities in historically prestigious professions. However, Millennials have crafted careers across a wider range of emerging and technology-driven fields. Adaptability may be a strength.
Income is another metric of career success. On average, Boomers and Gen Xers have higher incomes than Millennials and Gen Z at the same points in life. However, Millennials entered the job market during downturns like the Great Recession which depressed incomes. Overall wealth and income growth has not been as robust.
Unemployment rates have also been higher for younger generations. But this is more a product of recessions and changing job markets rather than aptitude differences. Gainfully employed younger people today can still demonstrate strong professional abilities.
Technological prowess
When it comes to adopting and leveraging new technologies, younger generations seem to have an edge. Millennials and Gen Z grew up with digital technology as natives. Using smartphones, social media, and the internet is second nature. Older Boomers and the Silent Generation had to adapt to technology later in life.
But growing up with technology does not always translate to better understanding. Some studies show younger people have a harder time evaluating online information for accuracy and credibility compared to older web users. They are more prone to scams and hoaxes. So technological prowess has trade offs between generations.
Creativity and innovation
Measuring creativity across generations is highly subjective. How do you objectively quantify human imagination and ingenuity? There are no definitive metrics.
However, many believe the internet and digital technology have unlocked new potential for innovation among younger generations. The rise of entrepreneurship, the gig economy, social media content creation and more reflects a capacity for originality.
Millennials and Gen Z tend to think more broadly about pursuing passions, side hustles and diverse experiences that can inspire creativity. But strong creative instincts are present across all generations.
Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence refers to one’s ability to recognize, understand and regulate emotions. This includes perceiving how others feel and responding empathetically.
Some psychologists believe younger generations have greater emotional intelligence on average. Millennials and Gen Z tend to be more open when discussing mental health and personal feelings. They place a higher value on emotional awareness and authenticity in relationships.
However, it is difficult to truly measure emotional intelligence and generational differences remain speculative. There are also drawbacks to hyper-focusing on emotions, like encouraging oversensitivity or avoidance of constructive criticism. Overall self-awareness is important for all generations.
Logic and reasoning
In terms of rational thinking abilities, there is little evidence of major generational differences. Average IQ scores have held steady across generations when controlled for better access to education. All ages have people with exceptional logical reasoning as well as those who tend to think less analytically.
If anything, the proliferation of misinformation online in the digital age may have negatively impacted the critical thinking capabilities of younger people. They are constantly bombarded with more information of varying levels of accuracy, making it harder to parse truth from falsehoods. Strong logic remains imperative for all generations.
Spatial abilities
Spatial abilities involve visualizing shapes and spaces, like reading maps or maneuvering around objects. Generations that grew up before GPS and smartphones may have better inherent spatial skills since they had to rely more on their own mental mapping.
Younger generations accustomed to digital navigation aids are less practiced at spatial visualization. But tools like video games that simulate 3D spaces may help enhance these abilities early on. Overall, spatial talents likely remain on par across generations when nurtured.
Memory
Retaining and recalling information relies heavily on memory. Conventional wisdom states that memory declines with age. However, research shows memory capabilities peak in early adulthood and can remain high through one???s 40s and 50s. Significant memory drop-off is not inevitable in older age.
Millennials and Gen Z do not necessarily have better rote memories than previous generations at the same life stages. Widespread dependence on smartphones to look up facts on demand may reduce the need to remember details. But when needed, all generations remain skilled at memorization.
Cognitive flexibility
Cognitive flexibility refers to one’s ability to adapt their thinking and thought processes to changing conditions. This mental dexterity is useful for solving new problems in innovative ways.
Younger generations are often viewed as having greater cognitive flexibility since they are immersed in rapidly evolving technologies. Millennials and Gen Z constantly shift between platforms, apps and digital spaces. This fosters behavioral and mental flexibility.
But studies show cognitive flexibility can be exercised and improved at any age through things like learning new skills. All generations have the neural plasticity to enhance flexibility over time when engaging in mentally stimulating activities.
Conclusion
There are some clear generational differences when looking at intelligence through the lens of academics, career success, use of technology, and other metrics. Younger generations seem to have an edge in domains like processing new information, navigating digital spaces, and adapting to social changes.
But in areas like critical thinking, spatial skills, and accumulated knowledge, older generations maintain cognitive strengths. Overall intelligence is shaped by both intrinsic abilities and extrinsic opportunities. Each generation has specific aptitudes, but none can objectively claim the “smartest” title. No generation has a monopoly on human intelligence or potential.
While popular culture pits generations against each other, the most intellectually fruitful approach is mutual understanding. Appreciating generational perspectives, values and abilities fosters collective growth. Combining strengths allows all ages to learn from one another.
