Cognitive ability, learning approaches and personality correlates of general knowledge

Abstract

The relationship between general knowledge (GK) and cognitive ability (IQ and abstract reasoning), learning approaches, and personality (‘big five’ traits and typical intellectual engagement) was investigated in a sample of 101 British undergraduates. As predicted, GK was positively correlated with cognitive ability (more so with IQ than with abstract reasoning), typical intellectual engagement, and openness to experience. A hierarchical regression showed that IQ was the strongest predictor of GK, explaining 26% of GK variance. However, openness (15%) added incremental validity to the variance explained. These results are discussed in relation to previous findings in the field of GK and the personality–intelligence interface.

Keywords:

• general knowledge
• cognitive ability
• leaning approaches
• personality

Acknowledgements

The first author was supported by a Nuffield Foundation Social Science Grant, the third author by a CAPES scholarship from the Brazilian Government, and the fourth author by a British Academy grant.