Final answer:
The symbol 'g' used by Charles Spearman stands for general intelligence, which he believed was a single factor underlying various intellectual abilities. Opposing theories by Cattell and Gardner propose more diversified understandings of intelligence, dividing it into multiple types or emphasizing emotional aspects, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is c:
The concept of general intelligence was denoted by the symbol "g" by Charles Spearman. Charles Spearman, a British psychologist, proposed the theory that intelligence consisted of a single, general factor, which he referred to as g or general intelligence. This factor was believed to underlie individual performance across various cognitive domains. Spearman focused on the similarities among different intellectual abilities rather than the differences. In contrast to Spearman's g, other psychologists like Raymond Cattell suggested a more nuanced understanding of intelligence. Cattell divided general intelligence into fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence involves the ability to see complex relationships and solve novel problems, while crystallized intelligence pertains to the knowledge one acquires and can recall.
Despite debates over the nature of intelligence, the notion of general intelligence as introduced by Spearman remains influential. The g factor is considered foundational in the field of psychometrics and is still used to explain commonalities in cognitive performance across diverse tasks. However, alternative theories such as Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences theory and the concept of emotional intelligence proposed by authors like Daniel Goleman have challenged the singular view of intelligence, advocating for a broader, more varied interpretation of cognitive abilities.