Individual differences in cognition

British contributions over a century

Bibliographic Data

ID9619989
AuthorsIan J Deary (0000-0002-1733-263X, University of Edinburgh, corresponding author)
Year2001
Volume92
Issue1
Pages217-237
Publication date2001-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-1269 • E-ISSN: 2044-8295
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1348/000712601162040
PMID11256764
OpenAlexW2075006584
LanguageEN
Citations received5

Research on individual differences in mental abilities is discussed from three viewpoints: the psychometric structure of ability differences, the predictive validity of mental test scores, and some putative causes of psychometric intelligence differences in terms of psychometric and cognitive components and biological indices. A hierarchical descriptive structure for mental ability differences, as it emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, prominently displays British discoveries and suggestions, especially those of Spearman, Burt and P. E. Vernon from the first half of the 20th century. Galton and Spearman's largely unproductive search for the origins of ability differences has seen new activity since the 1970s, and there are several replicable associations that are yet to be explained. Over the 20th century the emphasis has been on measuring mental ability differences; at its beginning there was an emphasis (largely British) on understanding psychometric intelligence. The new century is likely to see a continuation of this re‐emphasis on explaining human ability differences

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Galton's problem · Human intelligence · Intelligence quotient · Psychiatry · Psychometrics · Test (biology) · Viewpoints · Cognitive Abilities and Testing · Psychology · Social Psychology

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