Correlation magnitude rises with the standard deviation of mental age of the group, so cross-group comparisons of the two traits are spurious¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r1 · q2
Currency · newest study 1923 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? The average correlation between the r's and the S.D.'s of mental age is 0.906 for raw and 0.886 for corrected coefficients. → Herring 1923 q2 i? The article concludes the correlation existing between the two traits (r and S.D.) is wholly spurious, a function of group variability rather than human nature. → Herring 1923

Evidence¶

Herring 1923¶

Herring, J. P. (1923). Verbal and Abstract Elements in Intelligence Examinations. The Journal of Educational Psychology. https://psycnet.apa.org

q2 · i? · associational · r1

Secondary analysis across the grade and age-group correlations shows correlation magnitude tracks group variability: "the average correlation of the r's with the S.D.'s is 0.906 for raw and 0.886 for corrected coefficients." The article calls the trait-level correlation wholly spurious.

"the average correlation of the r's with the S.D.'s is 0.906 for raw and 0.886 for corrected coefficients. Increase in the S.D.'s involved in a correlation results in an increase of correlation"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Stanford-Binet mental age correlations with reading rise from grade III to grade VI — related
• Prior studies show low and variable correlations between mental tests and college grades, averaging from .09 to .44 — related
• Stanford-Binet mental age correlations with achievement rise with grade level, while verbal group test correlations stay about the same — related
• Cross-sectional measurements of children of the same age may yield spurious growth facts because of great individual differences — a narrower finding that bears on this claim