Spearman`s Model of Intelligence

Spearman 's Model of Intelligence

Intelligence is an overall capacity for learning and problem solving Basically , it is single , pure ability , which varies in amount . It differentiates the individual 's behavior as a whole because it is composed of elements or capabilities , which are qualitatively differentiable . By measuring these abilities , we ultimately assess intelligence (David Wechsler , 1944 . The present explains comparisons and contrasts of Spearman 's Model of Intelligence and Gardner 's Multiple Intelligences and which model is more in line with psychology today

There are two major approaches to

defining intelligence . One group looks at the factors of which intelligence is composed . Another group looks at the nature of intellectual processes themselves

Charles Spearman initiated the use of factor analysis in the field of psychology and is sometimes attributed with the discovery of factor analysis . He developed a model where all variation in intelligence test scores can be explained by two factors . The first is the factor specific to an individual mental task : the individual abilities that would make a person more skilled at one cognitive task than another . The second is g a general factor that governs performance on all cognitive tasks (David Wechsler , 1944 . Though spearman 's theory of intelligence is simple but it ignored group factors in test scores (such as spatial visualization memory and verbal ability ) that may also be found through factor analysis . In 1983 , Howard Gardner has proposed a theory of multiple intelligences according to which intelligence comprises not just a single entity , but also multiple ones , including linguistic logical-mathematical , spatial , bodily kinesthetic , musical interpersonal , and naturalist intelligences . In developing his theory Gardner (1983 ) attempted to set right some of the errors of earlier psychologists who failed to come to grips with the higher levels of creativeness . Gardner do not situate talents completely within the human skull , preferring to interpret all accomplishments as an interaction between cognitive potentials on the one hand , and the resources and chances provided by the surrounding culture on the other . For example when we write notes , we use linguistic intelligence . Gardner has also described the reality of existential and spiritual intelligences . For Gardner , each of these multiple intelligences is more or less independent of the others

The concept of G faced many disagreements . The late Stephen Jay Gould his objections to the G factor theory . Several scientists now believe that there is no single measure of intellectual ability (Philip Kitcher 1985 . Spearman (1904 ) administered many altered kinds of test on cognitive ability . Correlations of these tests were positive . The basic idea of factor analysis is to compute correlation coefficients among the various sub tests one has decided to include in an intelligence test (Morgan , 1981 . But Gardner considered various kinds of facts about how the mind is well thought-out . Gardner also disapproved g . His theory was criticized on the basis of non-standard assessment techniques

Where as Spearman 's model of intelligence continues to be influential today . Generally speaking , intelligence tests that yield a single score are built...