Which of the following is not a theory of intelligence?

Concept

A theory of intelligence explains the structure or organization of intellectual ability. Such theories may treat intelligence as one general capacity, as general plus specific factors, or as several relatively independent abilities.

A statistical method that models relationships between variables belongs to a different conceptual category; it does not describe the structure of intelligence.

Application

The theory of regression concerns statistical prediction and the relationship between dependent and predictor variables. It therefore does not function as a theory describing how human intelligence is organized.

Contrast

• Unifactor theory treats intelligence as a single general capacity.

• Spearman’s two-factor theory explains performance through a general factor, denoted g, together with specific factors, denoted s.

• Thorndike’s multifactor theory explains intelligence through many relatively independent abilities or elements.

Cross-check

Classifying each term by its subject confirms the distinction: unifactor, two-factor, and multifactor are structural accounts of intelligence, whereas regression is a statistical modelling method. Therefore, the theory of regression is not a theory of intelligence.