This podcast episode explores the concept of the G-factor, a measure of general intelligence that is common to virtually all tests of mental abilities. The G-factor, first proposed by Charles Spearman, is derived from the positive correlation between scores on different mental tests. Despite anecdotal evidence of individuals who excel in specific areas but struggle in others, research has consistently supported the existence of a general intelligence factor that underlies performance across a wide range of cognitive tasks. The G-factor has been found to be universal across cultures and is extracted through statistical techniques such as factor analysis. The stability and universality of the G-factor make it a reliable measure of overall intelligence, despite the existence of specific cognitive abilities that may vary from person to person.
