Behavioral Taxonomies and Objective Writing

Taxonomies are classification systems. In the case of objective writing, there are three primary behavioral classifications:

• Cognitive domain: knowledge, information, other intellectual skills
• Affective domain: attitudes, values, appreciation
• Psychomotor domain: skeletal/muscle use and coordination 

Each domain has progressive levels of higher-order behavior. We will discuss only the higher-order levels in the cognitive domain. The table below indicates the cognitive domain levels and some possible objectives for each.

Cognitive Domain Levels and Possible Objectives

Cognitive Domain Levels	Possible Objectives
Knowledge – recalling information	To list four rules, to recite a poem, to match the common names of plants with their respective scientific names
Comprehension – interpreting, translating, or extrapolating information	To read a blueprint, to summarize a chapter in a book
Application – applying information (problem-solving)	To explain the effect on the earth if the moon were to double in mass, to troubleshoot an electrical problem in an automobile engine
Analysis – breaking information into parts to detect relationships of the parts and the way they are organized	To distinguish between facts and assumptions in a conversation, to determine the major parts of an instructional system
Synthesis – bringing together elements of information to form a new whole	To design an instructional unit according to specifications, to propose alternate ways of solving a problem
Evaluation – making judgments against agreed criteria	To identify errors in a reasoned argument, to develop criteria for evaluating an instructional unit

And for each level of cognition, there are specific verbs that can be employed when you write objectives. The next table provides a short list of specific verbs pertaining to the six cognitive domain levels.

Verbs Used for Different Cognitive Learning Levels

Level of Learning	Corresponding Verbs
Knowledge	arrange, define, duplicate, label, list, memorize, name, order, recognize, relate, recall, repeat, reproduce, state
Comprehension	classify, describe, discuss, explain, express, identify, indicate, locate, recognize, report, restate, review, select, translate
Application	apply, choose, demonstrate, dramatize, employ, illustrate, interpret, operate, practice, schedule, sketch, solve, use, write
Analysis	analyze, appraise, calculate, categorize, compare, contrast, criticize, differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, examine, experiment, question, test
Synthesis	arrange, assemble, collect, compose, construct, create, design, develop, formulate, manage, organize, plan, prepare, propose, set-up, write
Evaluation	appraise, argue, assess, attach, choose, compare, defend estimate, judge, predict, rate, select, support, value, evaluate

In summary, when writing objectives for a course, you should:

• Identify a general goal for the instructional situation
• Specify the audience for the objective.
• Specify the behavior that will be the focus of the instruction.
• Specify the conditions under which the behavior will be taught and evaluated.
• Specify the degree to which proficiency in a behavior will be demonstrated.
• Combine the audience, behavior, conditions, and degree into one statement.

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