Validity of measures of cognitive processes and general ability for learning and performance on highly complex computerized tutors: Is the g factor of intelligence even more general?

Theoretical arguments and analyses from 2 studies provide compelling eviden ce that computerized measures of information-processing skills and abilitie s are highly useful supplements to more traditional, paper-based measures o f general mental ability for predicting individuals' capacity to learn from and perform on highly challenging, multifaceted tutors. These tutors were designed to emulate learning and performance in complex real-world settings . Hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence that a genera l, higher order factor model with general ability at the apex could quite a dequately and singularly account for the individual-differences data, both traditional and cognitive-process measures, Results are interpreted in ligh t of the utility and generality of human cognitive abilities.