Three-Stratum Theory at 30: Theory, Measurement, and Application

Dear Colleagues,

It has been almost thirty years since the publication of John Carroll’s book: Human cognitive abilities: A survey of factor analytic studies. The three-stratum theory described in this book elegantly outlined fundamental human cognitive abilities. In many ways, this hierarchical and multidimensional theory was similar to hierarchical theories proposed by other prominent intelligence researchers. However, the work represented a defining moment in the history of psychometric intelligence, largely because of its influence on subsequent investigations into the structure and measurement of intelligence.

The three-stratum theory has been highly influential in terms of our understanding of the structure of psychometric intelligence. Intelligence may now be defined by “the various factorial constructs that underlie it and specifying their structure” (Carroll, 1993, p. 627). Carroll described the primary factorial constructs and proposed a structural model to account for their relations. Many studies have been conducted thereafter. What else has been learned about intelligence and its structure since then? What did the original theory miss? What did the theory get right? What did it get wrong?

The three-stratum theory transformed the measurement of human cognitive abilities in many applied settings such as in schools and clinics. Carroll’s work provided a blueprint from which to classify and organize individual measures of human cognitive abilities and thus a link from theory to measurement. Those in applied psychology caught on to this concept, and thus, individual measurements and test batteries were developed to measure aspects of the theory. How has the theory influenced the construction of intelligence measures? How has the theory influenced interpretations of scores derived from those measures?

Despite the three-stratum theory being considered as the grand theory of psychometric intelligence, Carroll (1998) himself warned that his model should not be interpreted as the final theory of psychometric intelligence. The general framework for the theory and certain aspects of the theory are certainly incorrect. The theory nevertheless provides a point of reference for research. It is a beginning based on accumulated knowledge, not an end. Many questions remain regarding the theory. There are basic questions which must be answered. Is the third-stratum general factor empirically distinguishable from the second-stratum fluid reasoning factor? How does this tidy theory fit with what is known about how abilities develop and change across the lifespan? In addition, specific questions remain. Should a test of visual memory be classified as a measure of visual processing or short-term/working memory? There are also questions regarding how to interpret test scores. How should individual test scores, influenced by multiple underlying factors, be interpreted (e.g., does the factor represent a unitary construct or separate constructs that operate in a unified manner)?

The purpose of this Special Issue is threefold. First, it seeks to acknowledge the influence of the three-stratum theory in research and in measurement and where it is today. Second, it intends to encourage studies of the theory or aspects of the theory in its current form. Lastly, this Special Issue aims to offer researchers an opportunity to explain how the theory should be used going forward.

We encourage commentaries, empirical investigations, and thought pieces. Commentaries may recognize the contributions by summarizing current findings. Empirical studies may test aspects of the theory or answer questions embedded within. Thought pieces do not require empirical data but should clearly articulate specific hypotheses and how to test them with data. We encourage theorists and researchers from all disciplines to submit manuscripts.

Potential questions and themes include:

• What is the role of general intelligence (g)?
• Is g equal to fluid intelligence?
• What important points from the three-stratum theory (or the book) have been largely ignored?
• Which principles should guide future expansions and reconfigurations of the three-stratum theory?
• What other constructs should be included?
• Are there challenges to specific constructs?
• Which constructs brought into the “lab” for study are now better understood?
• Are there critiques of current aspects of the theory?
• Are there critiques of the theory in general?
• How can approaches other than CFA/SEM inform research and theory?
• What does psychometric intelligence miss?

Dr. Matthew R. Reynolds
Dr. W. Joel Schneider
Guest Editors

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