PYRAMID OF NEEDS

Taxonomy of Intellectual Skills

Hierarchical

Problem Solving

Rule Using

Defined Concept

Concrete Concept

Discrimination

Concrete Concept

The learner is challenged to assign members into groups on the basis of perceptible characteristics.

Examples:

• Classify compounds as either organic or inorganic
• Classify rocks as igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary

Defined Concept

The learner can define/describe abstract concepts.

Examples

• Define cellular respiration.
• Define gravity.

Rule Using

The learner applies rules to a defined set of conditions

Examples:

• If this is true, then do that.

Discrimination

Learners are expected to discriminate among different members of a particular group of category on the basis of perceptible characteristics.

Examples:

• distinguish chisel types on the basis of point shape
• distinguish metals on the basis of hardness

Problem Solving

The learner can engage in problem solving, which involves the application of lower level rules to solve a problem