Nature of the General Factor in Hierarchical Models of the Structure of CognitiveAbilities: Alternative Models Tested on Data from Regular and Experimental Military Enlistment Tests

摘要

Hierarchical models of the structure of cognitive abilities offer theoretical aswell as practical advantages (Gustafsson, 1988, 1994a, in press-a; Loliman, 1991). Such models may resolve the conflict between theorists who emphasize one general ability (e. g., Spearman, 1927; Jensen, 1987; Humphreys, 1985), and theorists who emphasize several specialized abilities (e. g., Thurstone, 1938; Guilford, 1967; Gardner, 1985), by allowing for both categories of abilities in the model. The hierarchical approach also offers possibilities for solving prediction problems efficiently and parsimoniously (Gustafsson, 1988, 1989; Muthen, 1994). There are several alternative hierarchical models, however (Gustafsson, 1994a, in press-b).