Cyrill Burt's Model of Intelligence

In differential psychology, intelligence models can be divided into two: factorial (hierarchical) or multifactorial (consider intelligence as a set of independent aptitudes each other).

In this article we will analyze in detail a hierarchical model, Burt's Model of Intelligence. Cyrill Burt built on Charles Spearman's theory and added a few changes. To explain intelligence, Burt establishes four primary factors and a general intelligence that encompasses them (G factor).

• Related article: "theories of human intelligence"

Burt's model of intelligence: characteristics

The hierarchical theories of intelligence divide its components into (from more specific to more general): specific factors (tests factors), minor group factors, major group factors and finally, at the top of the “pyramid”, we find the well-known G factor.

Cyrill Burt (1883–1971) was an English psychologist. who made contributions to educational psychology and statistics. He was one of the most accomplished disciples or successors of Charles Spearman (1863 – 1945). His intelligence model is a synthesis of the work done by his predecessors, and influenced the work of Cattell and Vernon.

He developed the so-called Burt Intelligence Model, a hierarchical model of intelligence, where he established different levels, "links" or hierarchically organized factors. focused on the existence of a structure made up of four primary factors and a general intelligence that subsumes them.

Burt's Intelligence Model is a structural model based on a hierarchical ordering of intelligence factors. Defends the supremacy of genetic variables to explain differences in intelligence.

Burt's theory

Burt develops his theory through a hypothesis that he establishes in 1945, where he postulates differences in intellectual development. According to him, at an intellectual level, the hierarchical structure of intelligence is gradually reached, where all aptitudes occupy a specific place. These aptitudes are distributed from a level of indifferentiation (g) to a detailed level of specialization (s).

Thus, in 1949 the developed Burt Intelligence Model appears. In it, he recognizes the existence of 18 group factors located below the general intelligence factor "g", at different hierarchical levels.

Burt establishes that there is an indubitable "g" factor, since the correlations between the cognitive tests are positive, but they are not hierarchical because there are factors that are common to certain types of tests but not to all.

intelligence structure

In Burt's Intelligence Model, the author organizes the structure of intelligence into 5 increasingly complex levels, ranging from from the capture of stimuli to its processing and linking with other cognitive elements (as we will see in the next point).

According to C. Burt, intelligence is the general capacity whose structure is a hierarchical system of mental levels. As we have seen, Burt was Spearman's successor, and he completes Spearman's model with two other factors: group factors and accidental factors.

Differences and similarities with Charles Spearman

As we have seen, Burt accepts from Spearman the idea of ​​the existence of a universal capacity (which he calls General Intelligence). His factor G or General Intelligence, on the other hand, It is practical and not intellectual in nature..

In addition, Burt's Intelligence Model differs from Spearman's in that it gives importance to a series of group factors that would lie between Spearman's “g” factor and “s” factors.

The existence of these group factors coincides with the data provided by the evolutionary studies that showed that of an intelligence report generated a set of more specific aptitudes until the development of very specific skills or abilities of certain tasks.

Hierarchical levels

The hierarchical levels established in Burt's Intelligence Model are levels proper to mental processes.

These levels They differ by their degree of specificity, their content and the operations they include.. They are the following (ordered from the most complex, general, or hierarchical to the least):

1. overall factor

We start with the most general level (the fifth level). This is Spearman's G factor, that is, general intelligence. This factor allows, includes and encompasses the other four levels. In addition, it influences and affects them.

• You may be interested in: "Intelligence: Factor G and Spearman's Bifactorial Theory"

2. Relationship

They are the relational processes that we put into practice in our reasoning. They include the different processes that allow us to coordinate and manage different mental processes.

3. Association

Are the associative processes related to memory and habit formation. That is to say, they include association capacities, and they allow us, in addition to relating elements, to recognize them, memorize them and form habits with them.

4. Perception

These are complex cognitive processes related to perception and coordination of movements. These processes allow the passage to the cognition of the information captured.

5. Sensation

It is the most basic and simple level. It includes the different capacities or basic sensory and motor skills that we have.

Bibliographic references:

• Andres Pueyo, A. (1997). Differential Psychology Manual. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
• Carbajo, M.C. (2011). History of intelligence in relation to the older people. Pedagogical Magazine, 24, 225–242.
• Sanchez Elvira Paniagua, A. (2005). Introduction to the study of individual differences. Madrid: Ed. Sanz y Torres. 2nd Edition.