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
- DOI: 10.2307/1412107
- Publisher / archive link
- Publisher: University of Illinois Press (journal)
Related papers and concepts
- term · defines
g factor - expert · authored
Charles Spearman - reference · cites
Refinement of Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence (1966)
Sources
- American Journal of Psychology archive via DOI.
Summaries are original synthesis. © remains with rights holders; linked for reference.