Correlation of Cognitive Ability Scores
A rough guide to the correlations between scores in four domains: spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and classification. The relationship with the g factor, visualized.
In brief: The four domains, spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and classification, show moderate positive correlations of roughly 0.5 to 0.6 with one another. Behind this lies a general intelligence factor (g) shared across the domains. The figures in this table are illustrative values based on established findings.
| Spatial Reasoning | Pattern Recognition | Logical Reasoning | Classification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spatial Reasoning | 1.00 | 0.58 | 0.55 | 0.52 |
| Pattern Recognition | 0.58 | 1.00 | 0.60 | 0.50 |
| Logical Reasoning | 0.55 | 0.60 | 1.00 | 0.54 |
| Classification | 0.52 | 0.50 | 0.54 | 1.00 |
The moderate positive correlation among these domains is thought to reflect a shared general intelligence factor (the g factor) underlying them.
Frequently asked questions
- Why do cognitive domains correlate with each other?
- Because a general intelligence factor (g), involving reasoning and working memory, contributes to performance in every domain. The correlations stay moderate because each domain also draws on its own specific abilities.
- How strong is a correlation of 0.5 to 0.6?
- In psychology that is a moderate to fairly strong correlation. People who score high in one domain tend to score high in the others, but plenty of room remains for individual strengths and weaknesses.
- Is this correlation table measured data?
- No. The values are illustrative, based on established findings, not aggregated from actual test takers.
* Figures are estimates and illustrative values based on a normal distribution model and general findings. They are not aggregated from actual test-taker data.