Guilford's Facet Theory Of Intelligence: An Empirical Comparison Of Models

A general linear model was described for tests constructed in a facet design. Guilford's structure of intellect model and an alternative model were specified as special cases. From the Guilford research seven data sets were selected such that both models could be compared. The comparison was done with oblique and orthogonal factors. Using covariance structure analysis the fit of the models was assessed, and the parameters estimated. Models with orthogonal factors did not fit the data. The fit of the oblique Guilford model was better than the alternative oblique model. For three of the data sets the oblique Guilford model yielded an acceptable fit to the data with parameter estimates that could be interpreted by the structure of intellect model.