Abstract
Previous studies on human intelligence has revealed that varied factors influence cognitive performance, and some studies have hypothesized the presence of “general intelligence” (g factor) that is responsible for intelligence. However, most studies have been centered on Western cultures. This study thus examines the Saudi students and the g factor hypothesis. A group of Saudi college students participated in a battery of general mental ability tests and elementary cognitive tasks and were assessed for the influence of various factors on cognitive performance. The study results revealed an increase in the average of Saudi students’ intelligence compared to the results of the previous studies, but it did not yield a g factor.
Highlights
Human abilities span over enormous range; physical strength, intelligence, musical talent, and many more characteristics differ from person to person
Jensen (1998, 2000) suggests that half of the performance variance on intelligence quotient (IQ) tests is due to a variation in the g factor
The studies conducted in Arab societies aimed to measure only the level of intelligence and did not seek to examine the g factor hypothesis. By using this foundation, the current study focuses on administrating a battery of elementary cognitive tasks and general mental abilities tests to Saudi students
Summary
Human abilities span over enormous range; physical strength, intelligence, musical talent, and many more characteristics differ from person to person. Spearman (1904) suggested that there may be general intelligence (g factor) underlying the performance of cognitive tasks. This g factor can explain individual differences in general mental ability, and he described this factor as “mental energy.”. Mental speed approach developed this hypothesis and attributed the differences in the g factor to biological determinants, the properties of the brain (e.g., Eysenck, 1986; Vernon, 1987; Jensen, 1998). According to this approach, the biological determinants are neural efficiency, nerve conduction velocity, and the speed of performing elementary cognitive tasks. Jensen (1998, 2000) suggests that half of the performance variance on intelligence quotient (IQ) tests is due to a variation in the g factor
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