Louis Thurstone identified what in his theory of intelligence?

• A. Several primary mental abilities.
• B. A single general intelligence.
• C. Emotional and social intelligence.
• D. Triarchic components: analytical, practical, creative.

Answer: (A)

Thurstone argued that intelligence consists of multiple primary mental abilities rather than a single general factor. He proposed seven distinct abilities, including verbal comprehension, word fluency, number facility, spatial visualization, associative memory, perceptual speed, and inductive reasoning. Through factor analysis, he showed that tests tend to cluster into these separate but related factors, indicating separable cognitive dimensions rather than one overarching intelligence.

This contrasts with the idea of a single general intelligence, which was proposed by Spearman and later emphasized in other theories. The other options point to constructs not associated with Thurstone: emotional and social intelligence come from later researchers focusing on interpersonal skills, and Sternberg’s triarchic theory outlines analytical, practical, and creative components.