Expert reference
Charles Spearman
1863–1945 · British
British psychologist who proposed the general intelligence factor (g) and advanced factor-analytic methods in psychology.
This page is an independent reference summary based on public sources. Charles Spearman is not affiliated with CertifiedIQ unless explicitly stated in a primary source linked below.
Reviewed by: Scientific Review Team · Last reviewed: July 2026
Biography
Charles Edward Spearman trained in philosophy and experimental psychology. His statistical work on correlations among cognitive tests led to the two-factor theory of intelligence and influenced twentieth-century psychometrics.
Career timeline
- 1904 — Published "General Intelligence" introducing the g factor.
- 1927 — Published The Abilities of Man, consolidating factor-analytic theory.
- 1931–1936 — Served as president of the British Psychological Society (documented term).
Research interests
- Factor analysis
- General intelligence
- Correlation methods
Main contributions
- Formulation of the general intelligence factor (g).
- Pioneering application of factor analysis to mental tests.
Concepts introduced
Publications
- Spearman, C. (1904). General intelligence. American Journal of Psychology, 15(2), 201–292.
- Spearman, C. (1927). The Abilities of Man. Macmillan.
Key papers
Related in knowledge graph
- term · introduced
g factor - reference · authored
General Intelligence (1904) - expert · related to
Raymond B. Cattell
External official links
FAQ
Did Spearman invent IQ testing?
No. Spearman contributed statistical theory (g). Practical IQ batteries were developed later by others such as Binet, Terman, and Wechsler.
Is Spearman affiliated with CertifiedIQ?
No. This page summarizes public historical record only.
Sources
- Spearman, C. (1904). General intelligence. American Journal of Psychology.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Charles Spearman.