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G and g: Two markers of a general cognitive ability, or none?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 August 2017

Charles Locurto*
Affiliation:
College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA 01610clocurto@holycross.edu

Abstract

The search for general processes that underlie intelligence in nonhumans has followed two strategies: one that concerns observing differences between nonhuman species (G), the second that concerns observing individual differences within a nonhuman species (g). This commentary takes issue with both attempts to mark a general factor: Differential responding to contextual variables compromises the search for G, and the lack of predictive validity compromises g.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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