Consistent g- as well as consistent verbal-, numerical- and figural-factors in nested factor models? Confirmatory factor analyses using three test batteries

Abstract

Concerning the correlational structure of intelligence, there is a broad consensus regarding hierarchical models with a general factor at the apex (g), and less consensus regarding the number, content, and structure of more specific ability-factors hierarchically below g. Previous studies revealed very high correlations of test-battery-specific g-factors, whereas the consistency of more specific ability-factors has been neglected. In order to investigate this, current data stemming from N=562 high school students who took 26 mental ability tests from independently developed test-batteries were analyzed. Regarding the intelligence-structure, nested-factor models revealed a (relatively) better fit than higher-order models and general-factor-models. The test-battery-specific g-factors of the nested-factor models were substantially correlated (r≥.91); the correlations of the test-battery-specific verbal and numerical factors evidenced convergent and discriminant validity (convergent correlations: verbal — r=.83; numerical — r=.46; figural — r=.22). These results provided evidence that some group factors (besides the g-factors) of different test-batteries are largely similar.