A cognitive psychologist studies an individual who demonstrates extraordinary talent in musical composition and performance, yet consistently performs below average on standardized tests of logical reasoning and spatial manipulation. This specific pattern of cognitive abilities and deficits provides the strongest evidence against which of the following theories of intelligence?
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The answer
Correct answer: D. Charles Spearman's theory of general intelligence, which posits a single underlying 'g' factor influencing all cognitive tasks.
Tested concept: Theories of intelligence (Spearman, Gardner, Sternberg)
Explanation
The observation of an individual excelling in one cognitive domain (musical intelligence) while struggling in others (logical reasoning, spatial manipulation) directly contradicts Charles Spearman's theory of general intelligence. Spearman proposed the existence of a single 'g' factor, or general intelligence, which underlies performance across all cognitive tasks. If a strong 'g' factor existed, high ability in one area would predict at least average ability across other diverse cognitive domains, which is not the case in the described scenario.
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