Thurstone's primary mental abilities is a theory proposed by psychologist L.L. Thurstone in the 1930s. He identified seven distinct mental abilities that contribute to intelligence, rather than viewing intelligence as a single, general factor. These abilities include verbal comprehension, numerical ability, spatial relations, perceptual speed, word fluency, memory, and inductive reasoning. Thurstone's approach emphasized that individuals may excel in some areas while struggling in others. This perspective helped shift the focus from a singular measure of intelligence, such as IQ, to a more nuanced understanding of cognitive strengths and weaknesses, influencing later theories of intelligence and assessment methods.