THE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

General knowledge has been defined in differential psychology as 'culturally valued knowledge communicated by a range of non-specialist media' This definition excludes highly specialized learning that can only be obtained with extensive training, as well as 'ephemera', that is, information confined to a single medium, such as television sitcoms. General knowledge therefore encompasses a wide range of knowledge domains. GK is an important component of crystallized intelligence and is associated with openness to experience. Studies using factor analysis have found that all specific domains of knowledge tested were positively intercorrelated and were substantially related to a higher order general factor. General knowledge therefore seems to be supported by long-term semantic memory ability. A number of studies have found that males tend to have greater overall GK than females, perhaps due to gender differences in interests rather than memory ability. Recent studies have found that GK is associated with achievement areas including exam performance in schoolchildren, and proofreading skills. GK seems to have only a weak relationship with creativity. Many game shows such as Mastermind utilise general knowledge questions.