PSYB32H3 Chapter 10: Chapter 10
Document Summary
The factor analytic approach statistical procedure used to determine which of a number of factors/scores are both closely related to each other and relatively independent of other groups of factors/scores. Spearman proposed that intelligence is composed of general factor (g): general mental energy or ability that is involved in all cognitive tasks; and several specific factors (s): factors that are unique to particular cognitive tasks. A person with high g would be expected to do generally well on all tasks. This was challenged by thurstone, who suggested that there were 7 primary skills compromised intelligence: verbal meaning, perceptual speed, reasoning, number, rote memory, word fluency, and spatial visualization. Still it has been shown recently that there is a general factor of cognitive ability. He recently expanded into a theory of successful intelligence: ability to fit into, mould, and choose environments that best fulfill the demands of one"s society and culture and one"s own needs/desires.
