A factor analysis of the Stanford-Binet at four age levels

Standardization scores on the 1937 Revision of the Stanford-Binet are analyzed by the Thurstone centroid factor technique. Correlation matrices at age levels seven, nine, eleven, and thirteen, each based on two hundred subjects, are analyzed. The factors after rotation are interpreted in terms of the items exhibiting high factor saturations. In contrast to the findings of McNemar (1942) no evidence for a general factor in the Stanford-Binet battery is found in the present study. Rather, I.Q. variance can be explained in terms of psychologically meaningful group factors at the various age levels. The results indicate a need for cautious interpretation and use of single score indices of intelligence such as the Stanford-Binet I.Q.This study was accomplished in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Science degree at the University of Washington, 1948. The author is greatly indebted to Dr. Lloyd G. Humphreys for suggesting the topic and for his invaluable guidance throughout the project. He is also appreciative of the cooperation of Dr. Quinn McNemar, who generously supplied the initial data and has offered helpful advice in the preparation of this paper.