General intelligence factor
Overview
The g factor, where g stands for general intelligence, is a statistic used in psychometrics
to model the mental ability underlying results of various tests of cognitive ability. Developed in 1904 by psychologist
Charles Spearman
to account for imperfect correlations in IQ tests, this model is considered the first theory of intelligence.
Spearman observed that schoolchildren's grades across seemingly unrelated subjects were positively correlated, and reasoned that these correlations reflected the influence of a dominant factor, which he termed "general intelligence." He developed a model in which variations in intelligence test scores are explained by two kinds of factors: first, variables specific to each individual mental task: the individual abilities that would make a person more skilled at a specific cognitive task; and second a variable g that accounts for the positive correlations across tests, representing general ability.
Psychometrics
Psychometrics is the field of study concerned with the theory and technique of psychological measurement, which includes the measurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, personality traits, and educational measurement...
to model the mental ability underlying results of various tests of cognitive ability. Developed in 1904 by psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
Charles Spearman
Charles Spearman
Charles Edward Spearman, FRS was an English psychologist known for work in statistics, as a pioneer of factor analysis, and for Spearman's rank correlation coefficient...
to account for imperfect correlations in IQ tests, this model is considered the first theory of intelligence.
Spearman observed that schoolchildren's grades across seemingly unrelated subjects were positively correlated, and reasoned that these correlations reflected the influence of a dominant factor, which he termed "general intelligence." He developed a model in which variations in intelligence test scores are explained by two kinds of factors: first, variables specific to each individual mental task: the individual abilities that would make a person more skilled at a specific cognitive task; and second a variable g that accounts for the positive correlations across tests, representing general ability.
