The group-factor theory of intelligence is given by which psychologist ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The group-factor theory of intelligence is attributed to Louis Leon Thurstone, making Option 2 the correct answer. Thurstone was an influential American psychologist who challenged the prevailing notion of a single, general intelligence factor, as proposed by Charles Spearman. Instead, Thurstone introduced the concept of multiple primary mental abilities, which form the basis of his group-factor theory.

1. **Explanation for Option 2 (Thurston):**
   Thurstone's group-factor theory posits that intelligence is not a single, unified construct but rather a collection of distinct abilities. He identified several primary mental abilities, such as verbal comprehension, numerical ability, spatial visualization, memory, and reasoning. Thurstone's work laid the foundation for understanding intelligence as a multi-dimensional construct, emphasizing that individuals may possess varying levels of these abilities, which collectively contribute to their overall cognitive profile.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 1 (Thorndike):** Edward Thorndike was an American psychologist known for his work in educational psychology and the theory of connectionism. He did not propose the group-factor theory of intelligence. Instead, Thorndike focused on the role of experience and learning in shaping behavior and intelligence, emphasizing the importance of specific stimuli and responses.

- **Option 3 (Spearman):** Charles Spearman is best known for his theory of general intelligence, or the "g-factor." Spearman proposed that a single underlying factor, the g-factor, accounted for the correlations observed between different cognitive tasks. This theory contrasts with Thurstone's group-factor theory, which emphasizes multiple distinct abilities rather than a single general factor.

- **Option 4 (Thomson):** Godfrey Thomson was a British psychologist who also contributed to the study of intelligence. He proposed an alternative model to Spearman's g-factor, suggesting that intelligence could be explained by a network of overlapping abilities. However, Thomson did not develop the group-factor theory as Thurstone did.

In summary, Louis Leon Thurstone's group-factor theory of intelligence is characterized by the identification of multiple primary mental abilities, making Option 2 the correct answer. The other options represent psychologists who contributed to the field of intelligence in different ways but did not propose the group-factor theory.