Ks. Mcgrew et al., BEYOND G - THE IMPACT OF GF-GC SPECIFIC COGNITIVE-ABILITIES RESEARCH ON THE FUTURE USE AND INTERPRETATION OF INTELLIGENCE-TESTS IN THE SCHOOLS, School psychology review, 26(2), 1997, pp. 189-210
This article describes recent developments in intelligence theory, app
lied measurement, and research methodology that suggest that new resea
rch is needed to reexamine the relative importance of both general and
specific cognitive abilities in explaining school achievement. A summ
ary of the results of a set of studies which examined the relationship
between g and seven Gf-Ge specific abilities and general and specific
reading and mathematics skills, is presented. These studies were desi
gned to reexamine the g versus specific abilities issue in a manner th
at reflects progress in theory, measurement, and methodology. Analyses
were conducted in separate model calibration and cross-validation sam
ples (n = 222 to 255) at each of five grade levels (i.e., grades 1-2,
3-4, 5-6, 7-9, and 10-12). These studies used structural equation mode
ling procedures and tests from a validated Gf-Ge organized intelligenc
e battery to operationalize a hierarchical g + Gf-Gc model consistent
with Carroll's (1993) three stratum model of intelligence. Across all
analyses, the relationship of g to general reading and math was as exp
ected - significant and strong across all developmental levels. Howeve
r, a number of significant and strong cross-validated direct effects f
or specific Gf-Ge abilities on specific reading and math skills also w
ere found. The results of these studies suggest that (a) some specific
abilities, including auditory processing, and fluid and crystallized
intelligence, may be important for understanding the development of sp
ecific reading and math skills, above and beyond the understanding gai
ned from general cognitive (g) and achievement constructs; (b) the pre
dominate ''Just say no'' to subtest analysis position presented in muc
h of the school psychology literature may need to be reevaluated; and
(c) practitioners need to broaden their assessments beyond traditional
instruments (e.g., Wechsler, 1991), in order to measure specific cogn
itive abilities that maybe important in the development of specific re
ading and math skills.