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The g Factor: The Science of Mental Ability
Jensen provides a comprehensive treatment of one of the major constructs of behavioral science―general mental ability―labeled the g factor by its discoverer, Charles Spearman. The g factor is about individual differences in mental abilities. In factor analyses of any and every large and diverse collection of measures of mental abilities, however varied the content of knowledge and skills they call upon, g emerges as the largest, most general source of differences between individuals and between certain subpopulations.
Jensen fully and clearly explains the psychometric, statistical, genetic, and physiological basis of g , as well as the major theoretical challenges to the concept. For decades a key construct in differential psychology, the g factor's significance for scholars and researchers in the brain sciences as well as education, sociology, anthropology, evolutionary psychology, economics, and public policy is clearly evident in this, the most comprehensive treatment of g ever published.
Jensen fully and clearly explains the psychometric, statistical, genetic, and physiological basis of g , as well as the major theoretical challenges to the concept. For decades a key construct in differential psychology, the g factor's significance for scholars and researchers in the brain sciences as well as education, sociology, anthropology, evolutionary psychology, economics, and public policy is clearly evident in this, the most comprehensive treatment of g ever published.
664 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 1998
About the author
Arthur R. Jensen
14 books20 followersArthur Robert Jensen was born August 24, 1923, in San Diego, California, the son of Linda Mary (née Schachtmayer) and Arthur Alfred Jensen, who operated and owned a lumber and building materials company. His paternal grandparents were Danish immigrants and his mother was of half Polish Jewish and half German descent. He studied at University of California, Berkeley (B.A. 1945), San Diego State College (M.A., 1952) and Columbia University (Ph.D., 1956), and did his doctoral thesis with Percival Symonds on the Thematic Apperception Test. From 1956 through 1958, he did his postdoctoral research at the University of London, Institute of Psychiatry with Hans Eysenck.
Upon returning to the United States he became a researcher and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where he focused on individual differences in learning, especially the influences of culture, development, and genetics on intelligence and learning. He received tenure at Berkeley in 1962. He has concentrated much of his work on the learning difficulties of students in culturally disadvantaged environments. In 2003 he was awarded the Kistler Prize for original contributions to the understanding of the connection between the human genome and human society. In 2006 the International Society for Intelligence Research awarded Jensen its Lifetime Achievement Award. During Jensen's period in San Diego he spent time working as a social worker with the San Diego Department of Public Welfare.
Upon returning to the United States he became a researcher and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where he focused on individual differences in learning, especially the influences of culture, development, and genetics on intelligence and learning. He received tenure at Berkeley in 1962. He has concentrated much of his work on the learning difficulties of students in culturally disadvantaged environments. In 2003 he was awarded the Kistler Prize for original contributions to the understanding of the connection between the human genome and human society. In 2006 the International Society for Intelligence Research awarded Jensen its Lifetime Achievement Award. During Jensen's period in San Diego he spent time working as a social worker with the San Diego Department of Public Welfare.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 10, 2011
Until very recently, I had not realized the enormous progress made in the field of differential psychology over the past 100 years, which makes for very different and more engaging intellectual study than the stale Freudianism that the humanities have been chewing on for the past 40 years.
The g factor I found to be a thoughtful and thorough book, and I quite enjoyed Jensen's relaxed but serious voice. His discussion of the Flynn effect, for instance, was for me enormously comprehensive, and left no stone unturned. That said, a fair amount was over my head (my mathematics are particularly deficient).
The g factor itself is an amazingly vexing and mysterious "nexus," in the best tradition of scientific puzzles.
The g factor I found to be a thoughtful and thorough book, and I quite enjoyed Jensen's relaxed but serious voice. His discussion of the Flynn effect, for instance, was for me enormously comprehensive, and left no stone unturned. That said, a fair amount was over my head (my mathematics are particularly deficient).
The g factor itself is an amazingly vexing and mysterious "nexus," in the best tradition of scientific puzzles.
September 15, 2020
I found the "The g Factor:..." to be an enlightening and thoroughly researched book on a fascinating topic. Although the basic premise, that intelligence matters and that it is primarily inherited was evident, the book was rarely boring. The basic premise regarding intelligence was broadened by Jensen to explain intelligence in statistical and physical terms with forays into g's manifestations in life. The book will not appeal to people without a strong interest in statistics; it will not appeal to people who believe that the environment is the primary shaper of our personalities. I have two criticisms of the book. The book could have been composed better; sentences were sometimes very long with an excessive flourish. My second criticism concerns the author's purpose. Although I have no doubt as to the validity of the information presented, I wondered about the emphasis on black and white racial differences. I would have liked to see more balance in the examination of racial differences. Overall, I found the book to be fascinating and enlightening.
October 26, 2015
The g Factor is a comprehensive analysis conducted by Jensen look at the general intelligence across a wide range of factors and their implications. He looked at gender difference (which found relatively little differences), heritability (some evidence suggesting this), job performance (highly predictive), etc.
It may be complex for a non-psychological reader but worth a read to understand more about differential psychology.
It may be complex for a non-psychological reader but worth a read to understand more about differential psychology.
July 3, 2020
The definitive, data-driven, scholarly exposition on the field of differential psychology, imperative for all who wish to have journeyman sharpness and clarity in our understanding of intelligence - it's nature, controversies, limitations, and future.
December 27, 2020
The most definitive account of psychometric I have ever read.
Read
March 22, 2013The book is controversial.. keeps you asking questions but all in all a non-put-downer
Want to read
October 5, 2013skipped as too much detail, possible traverse to explore policy implications
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews