Abstract
The results of two previously published Arabic language administrations of the Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) are compared. The first is an administration of the SPM in 2006 to a probability sample of 6529 Kuwaitis aged between 8 and 15 from all regions of Kuwait. The second is an administration to a comparable sample of 6431 Kuwaitis in 2015. We find a significant Negative Flynn Effect in each age cohort and an overall Negative Flynn Effect amounting to a loss of 6.2 points in a decade. Possible reasons for this are discussed. It is proposed that the most persuasive explanation is increasing religious emphasis in the Kuwaiti school curriculum.
•Negative Flynn Effect in Kuwait among 8 to 15year olds•Loss of 6.2 points per decade on SPM•Greater a losses among older age cohorts•Consistent with dynamics of religion-inspired changes to education system