What do psychometric theories of intelligence primarily focus on?

Psychometric theories of intelligence primarily focus on measuring individual differences in test performance on mental tests. This approach emphasizes the quantification of intelligence through standardized testing methods, aiming to create reliable and valid metrics that can assess various dimensions of cognitive abilities across different populations. Psychometricians analyze test results to identify patterns, correlations, and distinctions in intelligence levels, enabling a comparative framework for understanding how individuals perform on cognitive tasks relative to one another.

This focus on quantifying intelligence allows for the comparison of scores and the development of intellectual assessments that are used in educational and psychological evaluations. By concentrating on individual performance, psychometric theories contribute to our understanding of intelligence as a measurable trait that can vary significantly among individuals.