Who propounded the 'Multi-factor Theory' of intelligence?
Detailed Explanation
📌 Core Theoretical Concept:
The 'Multi-factor Theory' of intelligence was propounded by the renowned American psychologist E.L. Thorndike. According to Thorndike, intelligence is not a single general factor or ability, but rather a combination of numerous independent and specific mental factors. He famously compared his theory to a 'sand-heap' (Sand-heap Theory of Intelligence), implying that mental abilities are composed of distinct, numerous infinitesimal elements. Thorndike identified four attributes of intelligence: Level, Area, Range, and Speed. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer as it directly links to Thorndike's contribution to educational psychology and child development frameworks.
📊 Key Exam Points:
- Thorndike's Theory: Also known as the 'Atomistic Theory' or 'Sand-heap Theory' of intelligence.
- Spearman's Theory: Charles Spearman proposed the 'Two-factor Theory' consisting of 'G' (General) and 'S' (Specific) factors, making option (c) incorrect.
- Howard Gardner's Theory: Gardner proposed the 'Theory of Multiple Intelligences', identifying 8 to 9 distinct types of intelligence, making option (a) incorrect.
- Option (d): Catherine Cook is a distractor included to test the candidate's conceptual clarity.
📖 Theoretical Reference: The evolution of intelligence theories in psychology highlights how human cognitive capabilities are categorized. Thorndike's perspective laid the groundwork for modern psychometric testing and educational measurement. For detailed reading, explore topics on Theories of Intelligence in standard developmental psychology literature.