Final answer:
A hierarchical model of intelligence suggests that various cognitive abilities are tiered, with general intelligence at the top and specific abilities at the bottom. Theories like Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) incorporate both broad and narrow capabilities within this structure, indicating an interconnected system of intellectual capacities.
Step-by-step explanation:
A hierarchical model of intelligence proposes that specific abilities exist and are important, but they are all somewhat related to each other and to a global, overall, general intelligence. This is evident in the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory of cognitive abilities, which suggests a structure where general intelligence sits at the top of the hierarchy, broad abilities reside in the middle, and narrow abilities, which are directly measurable, are at the bottom. The narrow abilities are specific cognitive capabilities that are integrated within the broader and general abilities.
Within this hierarchical model, broad abilities encompass aspects like fluid reasoning, short-term memory, and processing speed, while narrower abilities are subdivisions, such as memory span within the short-term memory category. This structure captures the complexity of intelligence and acknowledges that while specific cognitive abilities are distinct, they are interconnected and contribute to an individual's overall intelligence.