The Abilities of Man

book by Spearman

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July 16, 2026

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Charles E. Spearman's book, The Abilities of Man (1927), presents his theory of intelligence. Spearman, a British psychologist, proposed that a general factor of intelligence, known as g, underlies various human abilities. He developed this theory through statistical analysis, observing that individuals who performed well on one mental ability test often performed well on others.12

Spearman's work suggests that this general factor (g) is common to all intelligent tasks, alongside specific factors (s) unique to each task. While he didn't definitively define g, he speculated it might represent "mental energy". This theory sparked debate, with other psychologists like L.L. Thurstone proposing multiple primary mental abilities instead of a single general factor.12

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Charles E. Spearman
…is to be found in The Abilities of Man (1927). His historical survey, Psychology Down the Ages, 2 vol. (1937), was followed by Human Ability (1950, with L.W. Jones).
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…is to be found in The Abilities of Man (1927). His historical survey, Psychology Down the Ages, 2 vol. (1937), was followed by Human Ability (1950, with L.W. Jones).
Read More