Decision speed in intelligence tasks: Correctly an ability?

Abstract

Relatively little is known regarding the broad factor of correct decision speed (CDS), which is represented in the theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence. The current study (N = 186) examined the possibility that distinct CDS factors may exist that are specific to the broad ability assessed by the tasks from which the correct response latencies are derived, in this instance fluid and crystallized intelligence (Gf and Gc) tasks. Additionally, the relationships between the correct response latencies and Gf, Gc, and processing speed (Gs) were investigated. Two distinct yet correlated factors of CDS were identified for Gf and Gc tasks, respectively. Both CDS factors were related to their ability factor counterparts, and CDSGc was lowly related to Gs. However, item difficulty moderated the relationships between CDS and the abilities. When item difficulty was considered relative to groups of participants differing in ability level, differences in the speed of responses were found amongst the ability groups. The pattern of differences in speed amongst the ability groups was similar across all levels of item difficulty. It is argued that this method of analysis is the most appropriate for assessing the relationship between ability level and CDS. The status of CDS as a broad ability construct is considered in light of these findings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)