Discuss the five classification of skills according to Guthrie and show the relationship that exist between ability and a skill(5) Page (5) references
Guthrie proposed a five-fold classification of skills, which are cognitive skills, perceptual-motor skills, motor skills, interpersonal skills, and psychomotor skills.
1. Cognitive Skills: Cognitive skills refer to mental abilities and processes, such as thinking, problem-solving, decision making, and information processing. These skills involve the use of knowledge, analysis, creativity, and critical thinking. Examples include logical reasoning, strategic planning, and mathematical calculations.
2. Perceptual-Motor Skills: Perceptual-motor skills involve the ability to interpret and respond to sensory information and coordinate physical movements accordingly. These skills require the integration of sensory input with motor output. Examples of perceptual-motor skills include driving a car, typing on a keyboard, and playing a musical instrument.
3. Motor Skills: Motor skills are physical abilities that involve precise movements of the body's muscles and joints. These skills are typically acquired through practice and repetition. Examples of motor skills include walking, running, cycling, throwing a ball, and dancing.
4. Interpersonal Skills: Interpersonal skills involve the ability to communicate and interact effectively with others. These skills are essential for building relationships, resolving conflicts, and understanding others' emotions and perspectives. Examples of interpersonal skills include active listening, empathy, negotiation, and leadership.
5. Psychomotor Skills: Psychomotor skills are a combination of cognitive and motor skills, which involve the coordination of thoughts and actions to perform complex tasks. These skills require both mental processing and physical execution. Examples of psychomotor skills include surgery, playing a musical instrument, and performing gymnastics routines.
According to Guthrie, ability is a prerequisite for acquiring and performing skills. Ability refers to an individual's inherent traits, talents, or capacities to learn and perform certain tasks. It determines the potential for success in a particular skill domain. Skills, on the other hand, are acquired and developed through practice, training, and experience. While ability provides the foundation, skills involve the application and refinement of that ability.
The relationship between ability and a skill can be understood as follows:
- Ability provides the potential for developing a particular skill but does not guarantee proficiency. For example, a person with a high level of hand-eye coordination ability may have the potential to become skilled in playing a musical instrument but still needs to acquire the necessary technical knowledge and undergo deliberate practice to develop the skill.
- Skills are a manifestation of a person's ability in a particular domain. The level of skill attained depends on the individual's ability, motivation, and opportunities for practice. With continued practice and refinement, skills can improve, allowing individuals to achieve higher levels of performance.
- Ability can influence the ease and speed at which a skill is acquired. Individuals with high levels of ability in a specific area tend to learn and develop the related skills more quickly than those with lower ability levels.
References:
1. Guthrie, E. R. (1952). The Psychology of Learning. Harper, New York.
2. Ackerman, P. L., & Kanfer, R. (2009). Cognitive skill acquisition. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 93-119.
3. Schmidt, R. A., & Lee, T. D. (2005). Motor control and learning: A behavioral emphasis (4th ed.). Human Kinetics.
4. The Skills You Need. (n.d.). Interpersonal Skills. Retrieved from https://www.skillsyouneed.com/interpersonal-skills.html