How Does Television Affect Our Lives?
In Norway and other developed nations, average IQ scores have recently declined after decades of increase. This phenomenon, known as the negative Flynn effect, contrasts with the original Flynn effect, which documented rising IQ scores over time. Norwegian men born in 1974, taking a military conscription exam at age 18, scored two points higher than those born in 1987.
Economist Oystein Hernaes links this decline to increased access to cable television and a corresponding decrease in reading. After cable’s introduction in 1981, Norwegian youth significantly reduced reading time while increasing TV consumption. Cable television offered predominantly entertainment and advertising, unlike public television’s educational focus.
Hernaes analyzed cable infrastructure introduction by municipality, calculating individuals’ exposure based on their age when cable became available. Comparing siblings with varying cable exposure controlled for geographic bias. The study estimates that 10 years of cable exposure lowered IQ scores by 1.8 points. Further research by Hernaes indicates that cable television exposure also correlated with reduced local election voter turnout.
A comparable study in Italy examined the impact of Silvio Berlusconi’s Mediaset network, known for light entertainment. This research, published in the American Economic Review, explored the effects of exposure to entertainment-focused television on cognitive abilities and societal engagement. Mediaset, launched in 1987, provided an alternative to state-owned television, which primarily broadcast news and educational programming.
