Fact check: How many levels can be named or defined in a generic skill level/progression hierarchy or diagram?

1. Summary of the results

There is no single definitive number of levels in a skill progression hierarchy, as multiple established frameworks exist with varying numbers of levels:

• The "four stages of competence" model defines 4 psychological stages of learning ^[1]
• The Dreyfus Model presents 6 stages of skill development ^[2]
• Another framework uses 4 levels: Pre-Control through Proficiency ^[3]
• Bloom's Taxonomy, a widely recognized educational framework, consistently uses 6 levels in both its original 1956 version and 2001 revision ^{[4] [5] [6]}
• Standard skill progression models typically use 4 levels from Beginner to Expert ^{[7] [8]}

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The question assumes there might be a single "correct" number of levels, but the analyses reveal that:

• Different frameworks serve different purposes: psychological development (four stages of competence), educational assessment (Bloom's Taxonomy), and practical skill measurement (standard 4-level progression)
• The naming and definition of levels vary significantly between models, even when they have the same number of levels
• More detailed models like the Dreyfus Model ^[2] offer greater granularity, while simpler models might be more practical for general use

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question's phrasing suggests there might be a "generic" or universal hierarchy, which could be misleading because:

• Educational institutions and academic researchers benefit from more complex frameworks like Bloom's Taxonomy ^{[4] [5] [6]}, as these provide more detailed assessment tools
• Professional certification bodies and training organizations often prefer simpler 4-level models ^{[7] [8]}, as these are easier to implement and understand
• The choice of framework depends heavily on the specific context and purpose, rather than there being one "correct" number of levels