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Spearman's two-factor theory proposes that intelligence has two components: general intelligence ("g") and specific ability ("s"). [7] To explain the differences in performance on different tasks, Spearman hypothesized that the "s" component was specific to a certain aspect of intelligence.
Spearman's hypothesis has often been taken to imply natural differences in Black-White general intelligence, a conclusion that is rejected by a strong consensus within the scientific community. [ 9 ] [ 10 ] [ 11 ] It has been used to justify pseudo-scientific racist theories .
Chief amongst these achievements was the discovery of the general factor in human intelligence, [4] and his subsequent development of a theory of "g" [8] and synthesis of empirical work on ability. [9] Spearman was strongly influenced by the work of Francis Galton.
Charles Spearman, bearing in mind the influential theory that he originated—that intelligence comprises both a "general factor" and "special factors" more specific to particular mental tasks—wrote in 1927, "Every normal man, woman, and child is, then, a genius at something, as well as an idiot at something." [104]
Piaget argued that developments in domain-general cognitive architecture drives learning and conceptual change in his theory of cognitive development. [17] Similarly, Spearman proposed an underlying, domain-general g-factor (general intelligence) to explain one's performance on all types of mental tests. [18]
The g Factor was reviewed favorably by Canadian psychologist J. Philippe Rushton, who called it "an awesome and monumental exposition of the case for the reality of g." [3] Robert Sternberg was more critical in his review, writing that "there is a great deal of evidence of various kinds that the general factor does not do what Jensen claims."
The g factor [a] is a construct developed in psychometric investigations of cognitive abilities and human intelligence.It is a variable that summarizes positive correlations among different cognitive tasks, reflecting the assertion that an individual's performance on one type of cognitive task tends to be comparable to that person's performance on other kinds of cognitive tasks.
Charles Spearman, who coined the general intelligence factor "g", described intelligence as one's ability to adapt to his environment with a set of useful skills including reasoning and understanding patterns and relationships. He believed individuals highly developed in one intellectual ability tended to be highly developed at other ...