Intelligence and Ability
Definition of Intelligence
David Wechsler, 1939: “Intelligence is the aggregate or global capacity of the
individual to act purposefully, think rationally and to deal effectively with his
environment.”
Classical Theories of Intelligence
The classical theories of intelligence follow the psychometric approach. The
psychometric approach considers intelligence as an aggregate of abilities. It
expresses an individual's performance in terms of a single index of cognitive
abilities.
⤖ Spearman’s Two Factor Theory
Proposed by: Charles Spearman (1904,1927)
Spearman proposed that intelligence consists of two factors which are the general
“g” factor and specific “s” factor. Using factor analysis technique, he found that
people who did well in one kind of test, also did well in others. The intelligence of an
individual is determined by both the ‘G’ factor and the ‘S’ factors. The total
intelligence of an individual is the sum of ‘G’ factor and ‘S’ factors.
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