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Scientific reference summary

General Intelligence (1904)

Charles Spearman (1904)

Spearman reported positive correlations among diverse mental tests and argued for a general factor (g) underlying performance, alongside task-specific factors.

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Reviewed by: Scientific Review Team · Last reviewed: July 2026

Objectives

Test whether a single general factor explains correlations among cognitive tasks.

Methodology

Factor-analytic reasoning applied to correlation matrices from mental test batteries available at the time.

Key findings

Positive intercorrelations support a general intelligence factor; specific factors may also exist for particular tasks.

Limitations

Early sample sizes and tests; later models (e.g., Horn-Cattell) refined structure beyond a single g-only view.

Impact

Foundational for modern psychometrics and IQ interpretation; g remains a central construct in ability research.

Citation

Spearman, C. (1904). "General Intelligence," objectively determined and measured. American Journal of Psychology, 15(2), 201–292. https://doi.org/10.2307/1412107

Official source

Related papers and concepts

Sources

  • American Journal of Psychology archive via DOI.

Summaries are original synthesis. © remains with rights holders; linked for reference.

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