Investigating Spearman's hypothesis by means of multi-group confirmatory factor analysis

Differences between blacks and whites on cognitive ability tests have been attributed to a fundamental difference between these groups in general inte lligence (or g, as it is denoted). The hypothesized difference in g gives r ise to Spearman's hypothesis, which states that the differences in the mean s of the tests are related to the tests' factor loadings on g. Jensen has i nvestigated this hypothesis by correlating differences in means and tests' g loadings. The aim of the present article is to investigate B-W difference s using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis. The advantages of multi-g roup confirmatory factor analysis over Jensen's test of Spearman's hypothes is are discussed. A published data set is analyzed. Strict factorial invariance is tested and judged to be tenable. Various models are tested, which do and do not incor porate g. It is observed that it is difficult to distinguish between severa l hypotheses, including and excluding g, concerning group differences. The inability to distinguish between competing models using multi-group confirm atory factor analysis makes it difficult to draw clear conclusions about th e exact nature of black-white differences in cognitive abilities. The impli cations of the results for Jensen's test of Spearman's hypothesis are discu ssed.