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Theories of Intelligence

Two Factor Theory - Spearman

Two factor theory of intelligence considers that intelligence consists of two factors :
  • a general intelligence factor, G
  • several specific factor, S
The general factor G is considered as playing some part in almost all human activities, while there are some special types of activities which are associated with the S factor. For example, learning certain skills and crafts etc. Everybody has one G factor and many specific abilities or many S factors. In every type of activity, one S factor pertaining to that activity is necessarily involved while in all type of activities the necessity of G factor is felt.

There are activities in which the G factor is relatively important and also such activities where it plays only a minor role. In cases of minor roles  the S factor plays prominent role. G factor can never be directly measured. It is measured indirectly by obtaining the correlation of many functions involving G.

Spearman later added a group factor to the two factors G and S. 
Group factors are those which are less general, widespread and 
homogeneous than S factor. For Example, between he ability 
in addition (S factor) and general intelligence (G factor) there 
may lie an all round numerical ability (Group Factor). 
The figure illustrates Spearman's two factor theory. A, B, C 
are three tests. The shaded area represents the element 
common to the group of tests. The remainder represents he
 unique position of each test.


Multi-factor Theory - Thurstone

Thurstone developed a method on the mathematical basis for the isolation and measurement of individual attributes which is known as factor analysis. According to thurstone, intelligence is made up of nine primary mental abilities. They are :
  1. Spatial
  2. Perception
  3. Numerical ability
  4. Verbal ability
  5. Word fluency
  6. Memory
  7. Inductive reasoning
  8. Deductive reasoning
  9. Ability to restrict the solution of a problem
Thurstone considered that in performing any particular activity, such as, understanding a typical problem in mathematics, one or more of these nine mental abilities are required. There are some of these abilities which have greater utility in one type of activity than others. For example, in learning mathematics, numerical ability, inductive and deductive reasoning abilities etc will be required in much more degree than the other abilities.

Thurstone's theory of multiple factor is based on the principle that these mental abilities are primary and general, because they enter in some degree into all complex intellectual activities.
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  1. Mindvalley4 April 2019 at 01:50

    This is great stuff! Very honest and practical. I really enjoyed this post.
    https://blog.mindvalley.com/theories-of-intelligence/

    ReplyDelete

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