g versus c : comparing individual and collective intelligence across two meta-analyses
Journal article
Rowe, Luke I., Hattie, John and Hester, Robert. (2021). g versus c : comparing individual and collective intelligence across two meta-analyses. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications. 6(1), p. Article 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-021-00285-2
Authors | Rowe, Luke I., Hattie, John and Hester, Robert |
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Abstract | Collective intelligence (CI) is said to manifest in a group’s domain general mental ability. It can be measured across a battery of group IQ tests and statistically reduced to a latent factor called the “c-factor.” Advocates have found the c-factor predicts group performance better than individual IQ. We test this claim by meta-analyzing correlations between the c-factor and nine group performance criterion tasks generated by eight independent samples (N = 857 groups). Results indicated a moderate correlation, r, of .26 (95% CI .10, .40). All but four studies comprising five independent samples (N = 366 groups) failed to control for the intelligence of individual members using individual IQ scores or their statistically reduced equivalent (i.e., the g-factor). A meta-analysis of this subset of studies found the average IQ of the groups’ members had little to no correlation with group performance (r = .06, 95% CI −.08, .20). Around 80% of studies did not have enough statistical power to reliably detect correlations between the primary predictor variables and the criterion tasks. Though some of our findings are consistent with claims that a general factor of group performance may exist and relate positively to group performance, limitations suggest alternative explanations cannot be dismissed. We caution against prematurely embracing notions of the c-factor unless it can be independently and robustly replicated and demonstrated to be incrementally valid beyond the g-factor in group performance contexts. |
Keywords | collective intelligence; c-factor; g-factor; IQ; group performance |
Year | 2021 |
Journal | Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications |
Journal citation | 6 (1), p. Article 26 |
Publisher | SpringerOpen |
ISSN | 2365-7464 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-021-00285-2 |
PubMed ID | 33813669 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85103845113 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC8019454 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 1-24 |
Funder | Australian Research Council (ARC) |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 03 Apr 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 03 Mar 2021 |
Deposited | 15 Dec 2021 |
ARC Funded Research | This output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 |
Grant ID | ARC/SR120300015 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8x321/g-versus-c-comparing-individual-and-collective-intelligence-across-two-meta-analyses
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Publisher's version
OA_Rowe_2021_g_versus_c_comparing_individual_and.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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