What Is General Intelligence (G Factor)? Research Paper Example

Definition of General Intelligence

General intelligence refers to the common mental ability that supports various skills. General intelligence influences the performance of cognitive ability measures, thus allowing individuals to gain knowledge and address real-world problems. General intelligence influences a person’s performance on cognitive tasks (Shrestha, 2017). General intelligence implies that an individual who performs exemplary in one area can do so in other areas. General intelligence is made up of various components. One of the components is fluid reasoning which enhances a person’s ability to be flexible in their thinking and address challenges. Knowledge is also another component of general intelligence and focuses on a person’s understanding of a wide range of topics (Cherry, 2021). Quantitative reasoning is also part of general intelligence and addresses a person’s ability to solve number problems. General intelligence also requires an individual to have visual-spatial processing, which enhances the capacity to interpret visual data. An individual also needs to have a working memory which requires effective use of short-term memory. General intelligence correlates with success in life since it enables people to handle various duties effectively.

Definition of Attention

Attention refers to a person’s ability to process precise information present in a defined environment without focusing on other details that might cause distraction. Attention requires a person to withdraw from other things to process desired information (Stoppler, 2021). It helps to focus a person’s energy on the most relevant things in an environment. There are five attention types: sustained, alternating, selective, focused, and limited attention. Sustained attention refers to a person’s ability to focus on a particular thing for a prolonged period. In this case, a person’s attention cannot be shifted to other things until the requirement is met. Alternating attention involves an individual shifting their attention between two or more things that have varying cognitive demands. Selective attention requires a person to tune out external stimuli to focus on one particular thing (Lumen Learning, 2021). Focused attention refers to an individual’s ability to respond to external stimuli for quick response. In limited attention, the attention is subdivided to people responding to multiple tasks’ varying demands.  Attention determines the ability of a person to perform designated tasks to completion without much distraction.

How do General Intelligence and Attention Relate

Attention plays a significant role in predicting general intelligence in human beings, even though findings from various researchers have not been consistent. Some studies indicate that attention can be used to predict general intelligence, while others dispute the idea. Individuals who possess attention have a high likelihood of having general intelligence to perform various skills. Schweizer (2010) supports the idea that attention can predict general intelligence in human beings. Focused attention can be used to test general intelligence since discrimination time has a direct correlation with intelligence. Focused attention favors discrimination since it is keen on allocating resources to a specific stimulus.

On the other hand, divided attention can be used to predict general intelligence since it focuses on capacity limitations. If the limitations that characterize divided attention also act as a barrier to information processing, it influences general intelligence. This indicates that the various types of attention can be used differently to predict general intelligence.

According to Schweizer and Moosbrugger (2004), human beings need to maintain high levels of attention, especially when they have to complete complex tasks. In this case, a person who can maintain undisturbed attention for a prolonged period is likely to have higher general intelligence scores. Sustained attention aids in predicting general intelligence than other types of attention since it helps to handle complex tasks, which is not possible using the remaining types. Divided and selective attention can also be used to predict general intelligence since they aid in information processing. According to Schweizer and Moosbrugger (2004), the individual differences of general intelligence can be defined according to the various types of attention. This indicates that the type of attention present in a person can predict their general intelligence.

According to Schweizer et al. (2004), attention plays a role in predicting general intelligence in human beings. Sustained attention is used to predict general intelligence since it is applied when attending to demanding tasks requiring many cognitive operations. Sustained attention helps to create a base for general intelligence. In this case, an individual with high levels of sustained attention is likely to have exemplary performance in general intelligence. Schweizer et al. (2004) highlight that focused attention cannot be used to predict general intelligence since it aids in perceptual processing. The type of attention in a person influences their ability in general intelligence but depends on the considerations made about other measures of mental processing.

The findings of the research study dispute those from other studies that support the idea that attention influences general intelligence. According to Tourva et al. (2016), attention cannot be used to predict any form of intelligence. The study concluded after controlling other factors that correlate to general intelligence. Tourva et al. (2016) highlight that attention cannot be used on its own as a predictor of general intelligence. The study indicates that there is a need for further research to confirm whether attention has a role in predicting general intelligence.

Selective attention has a role in predicting general intelligence since distinct brain circuits enable the processing of various types of information. In this case, an individual who has selective attention can easily predict the nature of stimuli and attend to those with an outcome relevant to them (Kolata et al., 2007). Selective attention can be used to predict the ability to perform various duties since many tasks require the type of attention for completion. In this case, a person who can easily maintain selective attention is likely to have high measures of general intelligence. The study suggests that attention plays a role in predicting general intelligence.

Missing Gaps

Existing research studies about how attention and intelligence relate to each other have had inconsistent findings thus are yet to shed light on the issue. Various research suggests that attention is a predictor of general intelligence, while others claim it plays no role. The gaps in findings might have resulted from inconsistency in the tools used to measure the two variables. Future research needs to consider using consistent tools to come up with measures that will help inform the topic. Reliable research is needed to identify trustworthy results to inform how general intelligence can be forecasted through attention. Such a study will also help to inform on whether the two variables have a positive or negative association.

Hypothesis

The association between attention and general intelligence is positive.

References

Cherry, K. (2011). What Is General Intelligence (G Factor)? Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-general-intelligence-2795210

Kolata, S., Light, K., Grossman, H. C., Hale, G., & Matzel, L. D. (2007). Selective attention is a primary determinant of the relationship between working memory and general learning ability in outbred mice. Learning & Memory, 14(1-2), 22-28.

Lumen Learning. (2021). Attention | Boundless Psychology. Lumenlearning.com. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/attention/

Schweizer, K. (2010). The relationship of attention and intelligence. In Handbook of individual differences in cognition (pp. 247-262). Springer, New York, NY.

Schweizer, K., & Moosbrugger, H. (2004). Attention and working memory as predictors of intelligence. Intelligence, 32(4), 329-347.

Schweizer, K., Moosbrugger, H., & Goldhammer, F. (2005). The structure of the relationship between attention and intelligence. Intelligence, 33(6), 589-611.

Shrestha, P. (2017). General Intelligence – Psychestudy. https://www.psychestudy.com/cognitive/intelligence/general

?Stoppler, C., M. (2021).  Medical Definition of Attention. MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/attention/definition.htm

Tourva, A., Spanoudis, G., & Demetriou, A. (2016). Cognitive correlates of developing intelligence: The contribution of working memory, processing speed and attention. Intelligence, 54, 136-146.