Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The study of intelligence in psychology is divided into several theoretical frameworks, one of the most prominent being the psychometric approach.
The psychometric approach focuses on the structure of intelligence and views it as an aggregate of abilities that can be measured through statistical means.
Charles Spearman, an English psychologist, was a pioneer in this field and wanted to determine if intelligence was a single general ability or a collection of specific ones.
He utilized a statistical method known as factor analysis to identify patterns in how people scored on various cognitive tests.
This method allowed him to see which tests correlated with each other, suggesting an underlying common factor.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
In 1904, Charles Spearman proposed the Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence.
His research led him to conclude that all intellectual activities share a single common core, which he termed the 'g-factor' or General Factor.
The g-factor represents a person's overall mental energy and is considered to be innate and relatively stable throughout life.
He argued that the g-factor is what allows an individual to perform consistently across different types of tasks, such as mathematical reasoning and verbal comprehension.
However, Spearman also noted that people are not equally proficient in every single task; someone might be a genius at math but average at music.
To explain these discrepancies, he proposed the 's-factor' or Specific Factor.
S-factors are specific abilities required for particular tasks, such as spatial orientation, musical talent, or mechanical skill.
While the g-factor is universal across all cognitive domains, s-factors are localized and can be improved through training and experience.
Regarding the other options: Alfred Binet (A) is famous for creating the first intelligence test based on a mono-factor theory.
Louis Thurstone (B) challenged Spearman by proposing that there are seven primary mental abilities rather than just one general factor.
Howard Gardner (D) proposed the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, suggesting that there are eight or more independent types of intelligence.
Therefore, the specific use of factor analysis to establish a two-factor structure is the hallmark of Spearman's work.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The Two-Factor Theory of Intelligence, consisting of general (g) and specific (s) factors identified through factor analysis, was proposed by Charles Spearman.