What is Guilford Theory of Intelligence

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What is Guilford Theory of Intelligence

Defining Guilford Theory

American psychologist Joy Paul Guilford was born in Marquette, Nebraska, on March 7, 1987. In 1956, Guilford developed his theory of intelligence. He was curious to find out how children’s talents varied across disciplines. For him, intelligence was built on a variety of intellectual skills rather than just one trait.

Guilford structure of intellect theory

A hypothesis of many intelligences is Guilford’s Structure of Intellect (SOI) Model. Guilford contends that intelligence is a composite of several skills rather than a single quality. According to SI theory, intelligence may be divided into up to 150 separate parts that are structured along three dimensions: operation, content, and products.

Operations Dimensions

there are six types:

  • Cognition: It is the capacity to recognise, learn from, and analyse the information acquired.
  • Memory recording: It is the capacity to retain knowledge.
  • Memory retention: It is the capacity to recall details.
  • Evaluation: It is the capacity to determine if the information is true and reliable or not.
  • Divergent production: It is the capacity to generate several solutions to a given issue.
  • Convergent production: It is the capacity to come up with just one answer to a puzzle.

Products Dimension

There are six types of product dimension.

  • Units: It just contains one piece of information.
  • Class: It is a collection of things with similar qualities.
  • Relations: It consists of the things that are juxtaposed or connected in relationships, sequences, or parallels.
  • Systems: Structures or networks can be compromised by a number of interconnected elements.
  • Transformation: views, conversions, or knowledge mutations that result from change.
  • Implication: anticipations of knowledge, inferences, conclusions, or predictions.

Content Dimension

There are five contents:

  • Visual: It is the visual data that is taken in by the eyes.
  • Auditory: information that the ear picks up.
  • Symbolic: Information is interpreted as signals or symbols that imply different things.
  • Semantic: Words or phrases are used to convey information verbally. It might be spoken or written.
  • Behavioral: Information is interpreted as the actions of a person or people.

Guilford’s theory of intelligence so consists of 150 intellectual skills (556=150).