Spearman Theory of Intelligence

Brief Introduction

            Charles Spearman (1863 to 1945), was an English psychologist. He was basically an military engineer. He left the military and decided to study experimental psychology under Wilhelm Wundt and earned PhD degree in 1906. He joined University College London in 1907 and remained there until he retired in 1932 as a Professor of Psychology. Spearman ones said that “Every normal man, woman, and child is … a genius at something … It remains to discover at what…”. He pioneered in statistical analysis developing Rank Correlation method and early version of Factor Analysis. He was the founder of the psychological testing movement. He discovered ‘g’ factor of intelligence and proposed a theory of intelligence.

Theory

            In 1927, he proposed a two-factor theory of intelligence. He developed his theory using newly discovered statistical analysis method known as Factor Analysis. He proposed that intelligence consisted of two abilities or factors i.e. a general factor (g-factor) and some specific factors (s-factors). Both are measurable by intelligence tests.

(i)        g-factor – Also known as general or native intelligence. The ability to reason and solve problems and includes mental operations which are primary and common to all performances. ‘g’ as a construct refers to the overall mental capacity responsible for a person’s performance on various cognitive tasks. It is innate ability and largely remains constant throughout life. Every individual tends to have different amount of g-factor. It is assumed that higher the g-factor better will be his overall intelligence.

(ii)       s-factor/s – Also known as many specific abilities. The ability to excel in specific fields or areas e.g. singing, science, architecture, athletics, sports, artist etc. These specific abilities allow people to excel in their respective domains. The s-factors are learned abilities which are dynamic and liable to go modification over time. This ability of intelligence varies from one activity to another within the same individual. The number of specific or s-abilities can be large in varying degrees in different individuals.

Conclusion

            The whole concept of intelligence is the sum total of g-factor and s-factor/s. The g-factor is constant and innate while s-factor/s are learned and acquired. The ‘g’ factor is responsible for general tasks while the specific tasks are responded by s-factor. The g-factor is found to be available in specific abilities too. For example a great hockey player have g + s (player) intelligence, an excellent writer have g + s (writing) intelligence etc.

References:

1.         NCERT. (2013). XII, Book

2.         https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spearman.

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