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Intelligence and Cognition: Contemporary Frames of Reference pp 217–251Cite as

Psychometric Approaches to Cognitive Abilities and Processes

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Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASID,volume 38))

Abstract

In formulating an approach to the study of intelligence and cognitive abilities that will be in harmony with present theoretical and empirical trends, I believe it is essential to build upon what has been said and done on this topic in the past. In the 80 years since Spearman’s (1904) introduction of a truly psychometric approach to intelligence, there has been much activity — an almost overwhelming outpouring of empirical findings, theory, and speculation. It would be foolhardy and indeed agio to regard all this as being for naught; surely there is much that can be depended on, much to savour and reconsider, much to guide our current efforts. But there is also the need to re-evaluate the work of the past, to consider it in the light of methodologies that have become refined and much advanced over those utilized in former days. I begin with a reassessment of past work, based largely on a series of reanalyses of previously reported studies. That is followed by an exposition of a test analysis procedure that I believe has promise for bridging the gap that has often been recognized between purely psychometric approaches and approaches from experimental cognitive psychology.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The L.L. Thurstone Psychometric Laboratory, University Of North Carolina, USA

    John B. Carroll

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  1. John B. Carroll
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Plymouth Polytechnic, Plymouth, Devon, UK

    Sidney H. Irvine  & Stephen E. Newstead  & 

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© 1987 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht

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Carroll, J.B. (1987). Psychometric Approaches to Cognitive Abilities and Processes. In: Irvine, S.H., Newstead, S.E. (eds) Intelligence and Cognition: Contemporary Frames of Reference. NATO ASI Series, vol 38. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9437-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9437-5_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-247-3523-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-9437-5

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