Intelligence Tests

Theories of Intelligence

Intelligence is generally thought of as a collection of attributes such as the ability to learn, adapt to the environment, and think abstractly. There are several different theories of the structure and concepts that make up one’s intelligence. Some theories emphasize that intelligence is a unitary concept; other theories propose that intelligence is multifaceted. The theories that emphasize a unitary concept refer to general intelligence as g. Theorists who advanced general intelligence are Charles Spearman, Philip Vernon, and John Carroll.

Multifaceted theories describe different aspects of intelligence, such as verbal reasoning ability, working memory, or visual–spatial thinking. Researchers advancing multifactor theories are Edward Thorndike, Louis Thurstone, J. P. Guilford, and Raymond Cattell and John Horn. Other theories are focused on information processing, such as the processes involved in taking in information, holding on to that information, and processing information for other purposes. Howard Gardner posed a theory of multiple intelligences that is composed of several independent competencies that interact to produce a diverse mixture of human talents.

A widely accepted contemporary theory of intelligence, the Cattell–Horn–Carroll theory, is based on a psychometric approach—that is, the structure or dimensions of intelligence are established through statistical procedures. This model describes a general factor (g) at the top of a hierarchy, several broad abilities in the middle, and narrow abilities at the bottom.

History of Intelligence Testing in the United States

Intellectual assessment has a long history of being both beneficial and controversial in terms of its impact on society, in the United States, and internationally. This section focuses on the history of intelligence tests in the United States. James McKeen Cattell, a student of Wilhelm Wundt, established a psychological laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania and published an article in 1891 where the author used the term mental test. The authors’ work shifted the discussion of the assessment of mental ability in the United States [Page 846]from its philosophical origins to one that strove to be grounded in empiricism.

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