To assess whether intelligence is a single trait or a collection of several distinct abilities,psychologists have made extensive use of
A) the normal curve.
B) standardization.
C) Down syndrome.
D) factor analysis.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Factor analysis is a statistical technique that allows researchers to identify underlying factors or dimensions that explain the pattern of correlations among a set of variables. In the case of intelligence, factor analysis has revealed that performance on different types of cognitive tasks tends to cluster together, suggesting that intelligence is not a single, unitary ability, but instead reflects the combined influence of distinct cognitive processes (e.g., verbal ability, spatial reasoning, working memory, etc.).

To Assess Whether Intelligence Is a Single Trait or a Collection