Raven’s Progressive Matrices: Flynn effect and updated norms

Abstract

The current paper presents the results obtained searching for valid and updated norms for Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices, in the city of La Plata, Argentina, and compares them with norms obtained in 1964 and 2000 in order to observe score trends. The sample consisted of 1,001 students of both sexes, aged between 13 and 18 years old, and currently enrolled at one of several high schools. The test was administered collectively, in class-groups, with the examiner's presence, without time limit for its completion, so it would allow the evaluation of intellectual ability without considering the task's speed. Data was split into three age groups (i.e., 13-14 years old, 15-16 years old, and 17-18 years old) and the results were compared with norms from 1964 and 2000. A slight decrease of the direct scores needed to reach an average performance was observed, when compared to those from 2000, which were the norms where the Flynn effect was first noted after 1964. This trend is consistent with recent research from other countries, which shows a plateau effect in direct scores. It was also noticed that as age increases, subjects performance tend to improve. The scores variability is similar in all three age groups.