How profiles of general intelligence change with age: A comprehensive model

We focus on the development of General Intelligence ( g ), testing three postulates: 1) general cognitive ability, g , is an effective psychological construct, 2) comprising core meaning-making processes, 3) which change with age, altering its cognitive profile. Changes take place in 1) relational integration and reasoning process, 2) representational processes, and 3) executive and awareness processes. Participants (N = 427) from 4 to 16 years of age were tested on aspects of 1) executive function, 2) reasoning, 3) language, 4) and cognizance. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling explored what is common between processes, how g emerges from interactions between processes, and how simpler processes converge to form more complex processes. We showed that 1) g involves a relational integration-awareness core taking several forms in development. 2) Latent abilities may be formative or reflective depending on developmental cycle. 3) After forming g , specific processes differentiate from it. Specific patterns of mediation relations between processes in developmental cycles are described. A comprehensive theory is proposed, integrating psychometric, cognitive, and developmental theory of intelligence. Integration builds on the Cattell-Hon-Carroll model of intelligence expanding it into a developmental model, postulating a series of developmentally specific g factors mediating between g and broad domain-specific factors. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.