| GUIDE TO STRUCTURE OF INTELLECT
Structure Of Intellect is a theory of the functions and products of human intelligence based on the work of Dr. J.P. Guilford, Dr. Mary N. Meeker, and Dr. Robert J. Meeker. SOI is used to assess and develop thinking abilities.
Dr. Guilford began by differentiating mental ablities for the Army Air Corps in World War II, when he created intelligence tests that decreased the "washout" rate for pilots, navigators, and bombardiers from 33% to about 3%. After the war, he continued his research for the US Navy at the University of Southern California until 1959 when the paradigm was formed. The project ended in 1965 when he retired.
Since 1962, Meeker and Meeker have specifically applied 26 discrete SOI abilities to training and learning processes by similar research at USC and at Loyola-Marymount University, and now at the nonprofit SOI Institute near Eugene, Oregon. They have refined Dr. Guilford's work and developed an assessment and training program for developing each thinking ability.
The SOI method for success is simple. Based upon 50 years of research, it identifies and tests thinking abilities, then puts research into practice by strengthening weak abilities and enhancing strong abilities. The common thread throughout SOI is that intelligence can be taught -- it is not a static measure of the "IQ" that one was born with.
| OPERATIONS | CONTENTS | PRODUCTS |
Cognition
Memory
Evaluation
Convergent Production
Divergent Production | Figural
Symbolic
Semantic | Units
Classes
Relations
Systems
Transformations
Implications |
|
FIVE OPERATIONS OF THINKING
SOI defines five operations of thinking, each of which is "an operation of the mind upon raw information."
COGNITION is the most basic of thinking processes. It is also known as "comprehension" and includes discovery, awareness, rediscovery, or recognition of information in various forms. High indicates a quick, one-time learner.
MEMORY is retention and retrieval of information in any form. It is one of the easiest to train of all the thinking abilities. High denotes one who recalls everything well.
EVALUATION is a component of critical thinking. It is decision-making or judging correctness, suitability, adequacy, or desirability of information. It assesses consistency and goal satisfaction. It is a thinking ability that is frequently overlooked in schools. High means one who is practical and manages time well.
CONVERGENT PRODUCTION or problem-solving is another important component of critical thinking. It synthesizes new information from given information, emphasizing what is conventionally accepted as the best answer or outcome. School work usually favors problem solving. High denotes task-oriented.
DIVERGENT PRODUCTION or creativity is the generating of new information from given information, emphasizing the variety and quality of answers. Originality, flexibility, and fluency are important components of this ability. High indicates innovative, fluent, humorous, high energy. |
THREE CONTENTS OF THINKING
SOI defines three contents of thinking, each of which is "a general variety of information."
FIGURAL or concrete information is the real thing. It is what we can see, hear, and touch directly. It may be a photo, a sound, or a gesture. It may be visual, auditory, or kinesthetic. This is a very important component for beginning learners. High denotes one who is good spatially and manipulates figures mentally or manually.
SYMBOLIC information is in the form of symbols or signs. These are arbitrary marks that have no significance in or of themselves, but to which society has attached meaning. Examples include numeric codes and alphabetic characters; musical notes; and the various triangles, semicircles, and other symbols used on weather maps. The phonics approach to reading is symbolic content. High means one who manipulates numbers or letters well and is often good with music.
SEMANTIC or verbal information is found in the meanings that society attaches to words. It is either reading or writing, listening, or speaking. High denotes one good with words and ideas and one who expresses himself well. |
SIX PRODUCTS OF THINKING
SOI defines six products of thinking in increasing levels of complexity, each of which is "a result obtained through the intellect's processing of information."
UNITS are single items such as one figure, one symbol, or one word. High means good with details.
CLASSES are sets of information units, grouped by common properties. High denotes well-organized.
RELATIONS are the associations and orders that we recognize between units of information, based upon variables that link them. High indicates seeing connections.
SYSTEMS are organized patterns of information items. They are arrangements of parts that interrelate or interact. Examples of systems include sequences of mathematical operations and the structure of language. High indicates seeing the big picture.
TRANSFORMATIONS are changes to known information or its use. High denotes ability to see varying points of view and how information can be redefined or modified. Ability to activate changes.
IMPLICATIONS deal with cause and effect. High indicates one who can begin with known information then seek back to unknown causes or forward to unknown effects. Anticipates well.
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