With reference to Child Development and Pedagogy, consider the following statements regarding the 'Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence' and the 'Multi-Factor Theory':

1. The Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence was propounded in the year 1904 by the renowned psychologist Charles Spearman, according to which two types of mental abilities operate in every mental activity—the General Factor ('G' Factor), which is innate and universal, and the Specific Factor ('S' Factor), which is acquired and depends on the individual's special skills.
2. E. L. Thorndike criticized Spearman's theory and proposed the 'Multi-Factor Theory', according to which intelligence is not the result of one or two factors, but rather a group of independent and unorganized mental abilities (elements), and he mentioned four major attributes of intelligence—Level, Area, Altitude, and Speed.
3. Spearman made extensive use of the statistical method 'Factor Analysis' in support of his theory, whereas Thorndike compared intelligence to various types of locks and keys, clarifying that an individual's intellectual capacity depends on the number of elements they possess.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?

Question

With reference to Child Development and Pedagogy, consider the following statements regarding the 'Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence' and the 'Multi-Factor Theory':

1. The Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence was propounded in the year 1904 by the renowned psychologist Charles Spearman, according to which two types of mental abilities operate in every mental activity—the General Factor ('G' Factor), which is innate and universal, and the Specific Factor ('S' Factor), which is acquired and depends on the individual's special skills.
2. E. L. Thorndike criticized Spearman's theory and proposed the 'Multi-Factor Theory', according to which intelligence is not the result of one or two factors, but rather a group of independent and unorganized mental abilities (elements), and he mentioned four major attributes of intelligence—Level, Area, Altitude, and Speed.
3. Spearman made extensive use of the statistical method 'Factor Analysis' in support of his theory, whereas Thorndike compared intelligence to various types of locks and keys, clarifying that an individual's intellectual capacity depends on the number of elements they possess.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?

Gaurav Shrivastava · Accepted Answer

Detailed Explanation

To evaluate the statements regarding intelligence theories:

Statement 1 is correct: Charles Spearman proposed the Two-Factor Theory in 1904, identifying the 'G' (General) and 'S' (Specific) factors. The G-factor is innate, while the S-factor is acquired through learning and experience.
Statement 2 is incorrect: While Thorndike did propose the Multi-Factor Theory (also known as the Sand Heap Theory), the specific attributes outlined by him are Level, Range, Area, and Speed. The inclusion of 'Altitude' in this exact context makes the statement inaccurate regarding his formulated dimensions.
Statement 3 is correct: Spearman heavily utilized 'Factor Analysis' (a statistical technique) to derive his factors. Thorndike's theory conceptualized intelligence as a multitude of distinct elements (often associated with the metaphor of a sand heap), refuting the notion of a single general factor.

Therefore, statements 1 and 3 are scientifically and historically accurate in the context of psychometrics.

Categories

Popular topics

With reference to Child Development and Pedagogy, consider the following statements regarding the 'Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence' and the 'Multi-Factor Theory':

Detailed Explanation & Solution

Detailed Explanation

Related Questions