What term describes the broad mental capacity influencing cognitive performance according to Spearman?

The concept of general intelligence, often referred to as the "g factor," was proposed by Charles Spearman as a way to explain the individual differences in cognitive performance across various tasks. Spearman's theory posits that there is a single, underlying intellectual capacity that influences performance on a wide variety of cognitive tests. This general intelligence reflects an individual's overall cognitive ability, suggesting that those who excel in one area of cognitive functioning are likely to perform well in others, due to this shared underlying factor.

The "g factor" encompasses various cognitive abilities such as reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding complex ideas, making it a broad measure of intelligence that can predict academic and life success. This aligns with the idea that cognitive performance is not just a series of specific skills but influenced by a common, general ability.