Carroll’s Three-Stratum (3S) Cognitive Ability Theory at 30 Years: Impact, 3S-CHC Theory Clarification, Structural Replication, and Cognitive–Achievement Psychometric Network Analysis Extension

Abstract

Carroll’s treatise on the structure of human cognitive abilities is a milestone in psychometric intelligence research. Thirty years later, Carroll’s work continues to influence research on intelligence theories and the development and interpretation of intelligence tests. A historical review of the relations between the 3S and CHC theories necessitates the recommendation that the theories of Cattell, Horn, and Carroll be reframed as a family of obliquely correlated CHC theories—not a single CHC theory. Next, a previously unpublished Carroll exploratory factor analysis of 46 cognitive and achievement tests is presented. A complimentary bifactor analysis is presented that reinforces Carroll’s conclusion that his 3S model more accurately represents the structure of human intelligence than two prominent alternative models. Finally, a Carroll-recommended higher-stratum psychometric network analysis (PNA) of CHC cognitive, reading, and math variables is presented. The PNA results demonstrate how PNA can complement factor analysis and serve as a framework for identifying and empirically evaluating cognitive–achievement causal relations and mechanisms (e.g., developmental cascade and investment theories), with an eye toward improved cognitive–achievement intervention research. It is believed that Carroll, given his long-standing interest in school learning, would welcome the integration of theory-driven factor and PNA research.

Explaining the Validity of the ASVAB for Job-Relevant Multitasking Performance: The Role of Placekeeping Ability

“…Psychometric network analysis offers an alternative approach to investigating relations among psychological variables that does not rest on assumptions about causality (see Schmank et al 2019;Borsboom et al 2021;McGrew 2023). Each variable in the analysis is represented by a node (a circle).…”

“…All possible nondirectional associations are identified, and thus the graphical representation of the results (the network model) captures all possible ways that any two variables may relate to each other. In a network model of cognitive ability variables where values for links are partial correlations, the link between two variables represents the association between those variables controlling for the g factor in the data (McGrew 2023).…”

“…Each link is a partial correlation (pr), representing the relationship between two variables (nodes) controlling for all other variables in the model. Thus, each link reflects the association between two variables controlling for the g factor in the data (see McGrew 2023). Variables hypothesized to reflect the same factor should be connected by a positive and statistically significant link and should be relatively close in the network model.…”

“…As shown in Figure A2, the results are very similar to those with the original observed-variable composites, and our conclusions are unchanged. link reflects the association between two variables controlling for the g factor in the data (see McGrew 2023). Variables hypothesized to reflect the same factor should be connected by a positive and statistically significant link and should be relatively close in the network model.…”

Identificação por professores de alunos com dotação intelectual: construção de instrumento e evidências de validade de conteúdo

“…A escolha por esse modelo teórico como fundamento para a escala baseia-se na hipótese de que as habilidades cognitivas específicas que compõem a inteligência se mostram mais importantes do que a inteligência geral em si (Geisinger, 2019), sendo consideradas mais informativas do que o QI geral (Cormier et al, 2016). Além disso, a literatura tem demonstrado que o modelo CHC tem influenciado, nas últimas décadas, as teorias de inteligência, o desenvolvimento de testes para avaliação desse construto e as pesquisas na temática (McGrew, 2023).…”