This study investigates the relationships between structural knowledge, control performance and fluid intelligence in a complex problem solving (CPS) task. 75 participants received either complete, partial or no information regarding the underlying structure of a complex problem solving task, and controlled the task to reach specific goals.…

Spatial ability tasks appear on many intelligence and aptitude tests. Although the construct validity of spatial ability tests has often been studied through traditional correlational methods, such as factor analysis, less is known about the cognitive processes involved in solving test items. This study examines the cognitive processes involved in…

A controversial hypothesis [Charlton (2009). "Clever sillies: Why high-IQ people tend to be deficient in common sense." "Medical Hypotheses," 73, 867-870] has recently been proposed to account for why individuals of high-IQ and high social status tend to hold counter-intuitive views on social phenomena. It is claimed that these "clever sillies"…

Individuals scoring high in fluid intelligence tasks generally perform very efficiently in problem solving tasks and analogical reasoning tasks presumably because they are able to select the task-relevant information very quickly and focus on a limited set of task-relevant cognitive operations. Moreover, individuals with high fluid intelligence…

The current study examines the views of experts in the science of mental abilities about the primacy and uniqueness of "g" and the social implications of ability testing, and compares their responses to the views of a group of non-expert psychologists. Results indicate expert consensus that "g" is an important, non-trivial determinant (or at least…

Studies of group differences in intelligence often invite conclusions about groups in general from studies of group differences in selected populations. The same design is used in the study of group differences in other traits as well. Investigators observe samples from two groups (e.g. men and women) in some accessible population, but seek to…

The Flynn Effect [Flynn, J. R. (1984). The mean IQ of Americans: Massive gains 1932 to 1978. Psychological Bulletin 95, 29-51.] is an increase in IQ of around 0.33 points per year, observed in developed (and some developing) countries during the past century. It emerges from problem solving and other non-verbal components of IQ. The cause has been…

Jensen has reported reaction-time (RT) studies indicating that various parameters correlate significantly with IQ. Two parameters of interest are slope of RT across set size and increasing correlations of RT with IQ as set size increases. After reviewing these studies, the author concludes that Jensen's claims are unwarranted. (Author/BW)

Research on the determinants of intelligence and factors that relate to variability in intellect are discussed. It is argued that studies in this area usually focus on individual determinants and rarely reflect the true nature of the processes through which variability in determinants relates to variability in intellectual development. (SLD)

Empirical data suggest that there is at most a very small sex difference in general mental ability, but men clearly perform better on visuospatial tasks while women clearly perform better on tests of verbal usage and perceptual speed. In this study, we integrated these overall findings with predictions based on the Verbal-Perceptual-Rotation (VPR)…

It is asserted that the statistical arguments proposed by Humphreys are not supported by the formula he presents. The disagreement with Larson is with the contention that there exists one correct theoretical framework in which intelligence research should be posed. The respective viewpoints are seen as complementary, not competing. (SLD)

This paper examines Longstreth's criticisms of Jensen's studies relating reaction-time to measures of intelligence and finds them unconvincing. While Longstreth raises some interesting questions, the authors found no evidence in the data for practice or order effects in a reaction-time paradigm. (BS)

Data of Skodak and Skeels (1949) are reinterpreted to suggest that at least one-third of the reported advantage of adopted children's intelligence quotients (IQ) over adoptive mothers is an artifact of the IQ test norms. The children's mean IQ could easily be higher than the estimated figures usually quoted. (SLD)

The hypothesis that coping with novelty is a key aspect of intelligence is not supported by the data of Sternberg and Gastel. It is contended that these authors committed a common error by interpreting correlations involving difference scores without reference to the properties of the components of the difference. (SLD)

The futility of the debate between heredity and environment as determinants of intelligence is argued, with convictions inspired by C. Burt's work (apart from the question of fraud in his work). It is contended that the influence of this misconceived ideological disagreement is apparent in today's educational systems. (SLD)