The Construct Validity of Higher Order Structure-of-Intellect Factors Reflecting Semantic and Symbolic Content Abilities

Abstract

Based on reanalyses of correlational data obtained from the University of Southern California Aptitudes Research Project, this investigation examined the extent to which two higher order (third-order) factors of semantic content and symbolic content from Guilford's structure-of-intellect (SOI) model reflected distinct constructs. A confirmatory maximum-likelihood factor analysis of 18 SOI tests from a battery of 46 SOT tests which previously had been analyzed by Khattab, Michael, and Hocevar (1982) revealed a correlation of .377 between the two higher order factors as compared to one of .615 in the original factor analysis of the 46 SOI tests. The smaller correlation matrix achieved an improved balance in the representation of the element of transformations in the SOT product dimension over that in the original correlation matrix in which nearly three-quarters of the tests portrayed the single element of transformations. The outcomes of this investigation suggest the importance of achieving a fair coverage by tests of selected elements of interest in the three dimensions of the SOI model to realize discriminant validity among higher order factors. For the correlation matrix of 18 tests, the two-factor model involving two higher order factors was found to yield a closer fit to the correlational data than that provided by the single factor model combining these two third-order dimensions.