The Structure of Human Abilities

Summary

First published in 1950, this revised edition of The Structure of Human Abilities was published in 1961, but remained largely unchanged from the original save for an additional supplement on the developments in factorial work on human abilities from 1950-1959.

Much research had been carried out during the years leading up to publication, in England and America, into mental abilities; and modern methods of statistical treatment, especially factor analysis, had been increasingly used.

It was felt that the mass of diverse material was apt to confuse the student of psychology of the time, especially as the results of such research were often apparently conflicting. Professor Vernon, one of the leading experts in this branch of psychology, sifted the material and attempted to provide a consistent picture of our mental structure.

Table of Contents

Preface  1 Mental Faculties and Factors  2 Landmarks in the Development of Factor Analysis  3 Hierarchical Group-Factor Theory of the Structure of Abilities  4 Analyses of Educational Attainments  5 Intellectual Faculties  6 Verbal and Non-Verbal Factors in Intelligence Tests  7 Practice, Difficulty, Speed, and Other Factors  8 Sensation, Perception, Imagery, and Aesthetic Abilities  9 Psychomotor and Physical Abilities  10 Performance Tests and Mechanical Abilities  11 Occupational Abilities.  Appendix: General + Group Factor vs. Multiple Factor Theories.  Supplement: Factor Analysis from 1950 to 1959.  Bibliography.  Index