On Intelligence IV: Toward a restoration of general intelligence

The present paper points to the limitations of a focusing on narrow primary factors of intelligence and argues for broad-factor structuring of ability data. Recent studies of such broad attributes would suggest a "rapprochement" between Spearman's general intelligence model and Cattell's theory of Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence. Discussing the neo-Spearman organization of abilities thus proposed, the paper argues, however, that the conceptualization of intelligence suggested by this structural model is more akin to Thomson's "sampling" model than to the "power" model of both Spearman and Cattell. The possible role of these interpretations of ability data in future research on intelligent behavior is discussed.