Who propounded 'Group-factor Theory of Intelligence'?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:

Louis Leon Thurstone, an influential American psychologist, is credited with propounding the 'Group-factor Theory of Intelligence,' also known as the Primary Mental Abilities Theory. Thurstone challenged the traditional view of intelligence as a single, general factor (like Spearman's 'g' factor). Through his use of factor analysis, he identified seven distinct primary mental abilities: verbal comprehension, word fluency, number facility, spatial visualization, associative memory, perceptual speed, and reasoning. He argued that intelligence is not a single entity but a combination of these independent abilities, and an individual's overall intelligence is a reflection of their strengths and weaknesses across these different factors. This theory significantly influenced the development of intelligence testing by suggesting that a single IQ score might not fully capture the complexity of human intelligence.

The incorrect option is 1: Thorndike

Edward Thorndike is known for his work on the 'Trial and Error Theory' of learning and his 'Law of Effect,' which laid the groundwork for operant conditioning. While he did work on intelligence, his theory, often referred to as the 'Multi-factor Theory' or 'Theory of Connectionism,' emphasized specific abilities rather than group factors, focusing on the formation of connections between stimuli and responses.

The incorrect option is 2: Stern

William Stern is primarily recognized for introducing the concept of the 'Intelligence Quotient' (IQ) as a way to quantify intelligence. While he made significant contributions to the measurement of intelligence, he did not develop a specific theory of intelligence that posited group factors.

The incorrect option is 4: Binet

Alfred Binet is renowned for developing the first practical intelligence test, the Binet-Simon Scale, to identify children who needed special educational assistance. His work focused on measuring a general intellectual ability rather than breaking intelligence down into multiple group factors.