intelligence

Theories of intelligence
content
 Spearman’s theory of
intelligence
 Thurstone’s multiple-factor
theory

Sneha //Bsc 2nd sem // U03BV22S0150

Spearman’s theory of intelligence

Spearman developed a statistical

technique known as factor analysis.
This theory is known as two-factor
theory.

Sneha //Bsc 2nd sem // U03BV22S0150

Two factors theory
 General factor: g-factor includes mental operations
which are primary and common to all performances.
 There are also many specific abilities, that are
contained in the s-factor.
 Excellent singers, architects, scientists, and athletes
may be high on the g-factor.
 But in addition, they have specific abilities that allow
them to excel in their respective domains.

Sneha //Bsc 2nd sem // U03BV22S0150

example G factor

Numerical Ability to Knowledge of

intelligence calculate English

S factor
Ability to
express

Verbal intelligence

Sneha //Bsc 2nd sem // U03BV22S0150

 The person cannot be trained to have a general
factor, it is part of who they are.
 S-factor are specific factors that can be
acquired by working hard on them and
training.
 Eg. Test of arithmetic, spatial relationships,
verbal fluency, each of these specific
intelligence measures a sperate ‘s’.

Sneha //Bsc 2nd sem // U03BV22S0150

Characteristics of g factor
 Universal ability
 Inborn ability
 General mental ability
 General mental energy
 Used in every activity
 Constant
 Varies from individual
 No influence of learning
 Responsible for success
 Extent of success
Sneha //Bsc 2nd sem // U03BV22S0150
Characteristics of s factor
 Special ability
 Specific activities
 Learned
 Varies from activities
 Varies from individual
 Specific mental energy
 Success in particular field
 Amount of success

Sneha //Bsc 2nd sem // U03BV22S0150

 Thurstone’s multiple-factor theory

 Louis Leon Thurstone proposed his

multiple-factor theory of intelligence in
1938.
 Thurstone brings the concept of multiple
factors associated with human intelligence
instead of a single factor.
 He stated that every individual possesses
different levels of seven primary mental
abilities,
Louis Leon Thurstone
 Problem hurstone stated that there exist seven different mental abilities factors, and he called them the primary
mental abilities (P.M.A.). He rejected to accept the general intelligence or g-factor of Spearman’s theory because
Thurstone’s seven mental abilities fitted better per the obtained data as compared to Spearman’s general
intelligence (g-factor).

Seven primary mental abilities (P.M.A):

1. The Numerical Factor
2. The verbal factor
3. The space factor
4. Memory
5. The word fluency factor
6. The inductive reasoning factor
7. Perceptual speed factor
8. The deductive reasoning factor
9. Problem solving ability factor
1. The Numerical Factor:
 It involves the ability of an individual to do quick and accurate numerical
computations. It can be measured by checking the accuracy and speed of the
person in solving various arithmetic problems.

2. The verbal factor:

 It refers to the ability of the person to understand and use various words,
sentences, language, or other verbal content pieces. This ability can be assessed
through vocabulary tests, jumble word tests, and verbal or reading
comprehension tests.
3.The space factor:
 It refers to the spatial visualization of the person. This ability comes into play
when the person tries to understand the manipulation of various real/imaginary
objects in space.
 The test that measures this ability involves solving various kinds of puzzles,
understanding various geometric figures, and identifying the correct mirror image
of the object, or choosing the correct image of the object when it is rotated by
different angles.

4. Memory:
 It refers to the ability of the person to quickly memorize the various concepts or
phenomena and retaining them for a longer period of time.
 Various memory tests like asking the participants to learn nonsense syllables, and
their ability to remember them could be a measure of their memory factor. The
ability to recall the learned concepts by the students during the exams is largely
dependent on this primary mental ability factor.
5.The word fluency factor :
 When a person is asked to rapidly speak several isolated words or sentences, then
verbal fluency comes into play; a person with high verbal fluency may excel in
this task, while the person with low verbal fluency may have difficulty in this
task.
 This factor is responsible for the communication skills of the person. The tests to
measure this factor may involve asking participants to rapidly think of words that
begin or end with a specific letter.

6.The inductive reasoning factor:

 This reasoning involves the ability to deduce a general principle from a specific
concept.concept
 This ability is measured through various tests like number series, word series, and
classification of words or numbers,sequential order of the given numbers or
images series.
7.Perceptual Speed factor:
 It involves the ability of a person to rapidly recognize and compare the specific
images, numbers, or letters, and to accurately proofread various types of content.
 Tests like picture recognition, rapidly crossing specific letters from the series of
numbers.

8.The deductive reasoning factor:

 It involves the ability to accurately understand a specific phenomenon or concept
from the generalized principle.
 Various aptitude tests are available to test the deductive reasoning of the person
that includes the various set of statements
 The person has to choose the best possible logical solution according to the given
statements.
9.Problem solving ability Factor:
 It refers to the ability of a person to solve various general or aptitude problems. This
factor can be assessed by analysing the individual’s responses to various
hypothetical problems, and their ability to reach the
 .
Thank you....

Presented by
• H M Sneha
• Gowthami
• Jaishree
• Mahesh R
INTELLIGENCE