Cattell–Horn–Carroll Theory of Intelligence

The Cattell–Horn–Carroll (CHC) theory of intelligence is a psychometric taxonomy designed to explain how and why individuals differ in cognitive ability. It provides a common frame of reference and nomenclature to organize cognitive ability research. Its name comes from integrating Raymond Cattell and John Horn’s subsequent occurrence theory with John Carroll’s three-stratum theory, both of which are largely driven by factor analysis of psychometric [Page 244]measures of cognitive ability. This entry first looks at the historical antecedents of CHC theory, the development and purpose of the theory, and criticisms of the theory.