This study examines the divergent validity of the neo-Piagetian measures of
processing capacity by reanalysing two factor-analytic studies of processing
capacity (Case & Globerson, 1974; Morra, 1994). The reanalyses found that
the assumption of orthogonal, independent, factors used in the studies was not
warranted. Rather, it appears that although processing capacity tasks do fall on one
factor, this factor is highly related to a factor traditionally identified as
fluid/spatial intelligence. Implications for neo-Piagetian theory and research are discussed.
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