However, Thurstone stated that human intellectual abilities are diverse, and he established his multi-factor theory of intelligence (1935) that focuses on the seven different primary mental abilities. ![]() ![]() According to Spearman, there exists a general factor called the g-factor that is common to all the intellectual abilities of the person. He rejected to accept the general intelligence or g-factor of Spearman’s theory because Thurstone’s seven mental abilities fitted better per the obtained data as compared to Spearman’s general intelligence (g-factor). Based on the gathered data, Thurstone stated that there exist seven different mental abilities factors, and he called them the primary mental abilities (P.M.A.). The conclusion derived by Thurstone about the nature of intellectual abilities was different from that of Spearman’s conclusion. In his research, he conducted 57 psychological mental abilities tests on the group of subjects and examined the tests scores of these subjects through the inter-correlation technique and matrix algebra. Thurstone used the new advanced technique of factor analyses to Spearman’s factor analysis technique to understand the various factors related to human intelligence. Thurstone’s multi-factor theory of intelligence is based on the generalized concepts, formulas, and methods used by Spearman in his Two-factor Theory of intelligence. He published varieties of books and monographs, and some of them are ‘The Nature of Intelligence,’ ‘The Measurement of Attitude,’ ‘The vector of Mind,’ ‘Primary Mental Abilities,’ and ‘Multiple-factor Analysis.’ In 1952, Thurston shifted his Psychometrics lab of Chicago to the University of North Carolina, and he worked as a professor there until his death on 29 September 1955. He developed the ‘Primary Mental Ability Test’ (1938) that measures the various factors related to human intelligence. The factor analysis method was originally used by Charles Edward Spearman Thurstone did further advancements in this method, which helped him establish various psychometric methods and develop his multi-factor theory of intelligence. Psychometrics involves the scientific measurement of various mental processes, and factor analysis is a statistical method used to find the correlation among the different variables. Thurstone had a keen interest in understanding and explaining the various psychological phenomenon in a scientific manner that led him and his followers to establish the ‘The Psychometric Society’ (psychological measurement lab) in Chicago in 1935 this society promoted the idea of ‘Psychology as a Quantitative Rational Science.’ He is famous for his contribution to the factor analysis technique and development of psychometrics. Later, he became a professor at the University of Chicago. After completing his doctorate in psychology in 1917, he started working as the chairman of the psychology department at the Carnegie Institute of Technology. During his teaching period, he developed his interest in the psychology of learning. He worked for Thomas Edison as an assistant for a short period, and in 1912, he started teaching at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Initially, he was interested in engineering and mathematics that inspired him to do an electrical engineering degree from Cornell University, New York. ![]() Louis Leon Thurstone was an American Psychologist, who was born on in Chicago, USA.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |