THE ROLE OF WORKING-MEMORY CAPACITY AND GENERAL CONTROL PROCESSES IN INTELLIGENCE

Although both general control processing (i.e., global metacomponents) and working memory capacity have emerged as primary explanations of abstract intelligence, their relative impact on individual differences rarely has been compared. This study examines the impact of general control processing and working memory capacity on an important measuring task for abstract intelligence. A new multicomponent latent trait model (MLTM) for covert responses was applied to item response data for matrix problems. With this model, working memory capacity could be separated from general control processing because item processing requirements for the former varies systematically across items (Carpenter, Just, and Shell, 1990), whereas the latter remains constant. Structural equation modeling indicated that both processing abilities were significant sources of individual differences. However, general control processing had a stronger impact. The results, and their limitations, are discussed in the context of prior theory and research.