Educational Implications of Guilford Theory of Intelligence 

Back to: Learning and Teaching – Unit 3

Guilford Theory of Intelligence

Joy Paul Guilford was an American psychologist who suggested his theory of Intelligence in 1956. Guilford’s Structure of Intellect (SOI) Model is a theory of multiple intelligences. According to Guilford, Intelligence is a combination of multiple intellectual abilities rather than just one attribute. SI theory comprises up to 150 different components of intelligence arranged along three dimensions, which are operation, content, and products.

Operations Dimension

There are six operations:

1. Cognition: It is the ability to understand, comprehend, discover, and become aware of the information gathered.
2. Memory recording: It is the ability to memorize information.
3. Memory retention: It is the ability to recollect information.
4. Evaluation: It is the ability to know if the information is accurate and valid or not.
5. Divergent production: It is the ability to come up with several solutions to a problem.
6. Convergent production: It is the ability to end up with a single solution to a problem.

Products Dimension

There are six products:

1. Units: It is a single item of information.
2. Class: It is a set of items sharing common attributes.
3. Relations: It is the items linked as opposites or in associations, sequences, or analogies.
4. Systems: It is multiple items interrelated to compromise structures or networks.
5. Transformation: Change’s perspectives, conversions, or mutations to knowledge.
6. Implication: Predictions, inferences, consequences, or anticipations of knowledge.

Content Dimension

There are five contents:

1. Visual: It is the visual information perceived through the eyes.
2. Auditory: Information perceived by the ear
3. Symbolic: Information perceived as symbols or signs that mean something else.
4. Semantic: Information perceived verbally in words or sentences. It may be in written form or orally.
5. Behavioural:  Information perceived as acts of an individual/individuals.

Therefore, Guilford’s theory of intelligence consists of 5*5*6= 150 intellectual abilities.

Educational Implications of Guilford Theory of Intelligence

Assists in Gathering Data

The educational implication of Guildford’s Theory of Intelligence helps in gathering and understanding information for a better analysis of students’ intelligence.

Decision-Making

The educational implication of Guildford’s Theory of Intelligence helps in responsible decision-making and smart problem-solving skills which can be beneficial for the learners as well as their teachers.

Fosters Creativity

The educational implication of Guildford’s Theory of Intelligence helps in making an individual creative, practical, analytical and logical.

Analyzes Different Types of Intelligence

The educational implication of Guildford’s Theory of Intelligence assists in understanding the intelligence of different age groups.

Better Understanding of Individual Differences

The educational implication of Guildford’s Theory of Intelligence can aid in studying individual differences in society.

Discover Mental Abilities

The educational implication of Guildford’s Theory of Intelligence provides assistance in discovering many mental abilities and cognitive capabilities that people weren’t aware of before.