Howard Gardner is a professor of psychology and neuropsychology at Harvard University. In the early 80s he presented his Theory of multiple intelligenceswhich revolutionized the educational panorama of the time and has exerted a notable influence to this day.
What is the theory of multiple intelligences?
Gardner rejects the traditional concept of intelligence. Until then, a single intelligence was proposed that had to be measured as a monolithic whole. For this author, there is no single intelligence, but different types of intelligence based on the capabilities of the human being.
This theory also rejects the traditional method of measuring intelligence that assigns a quantity through the so-called Intellectual Quotient (IQ). In reality, intelligence would be a biopsychological base that would be formed by combinations of multiple differentiated potentialities. Therefore, the educational system must adopt an approach that takes into account the nuances that differentiate each individual in this sense.
What are the different types of intelligence according to Gardner?
Basically, according to the theory of multiple intelligences there are eight types, which work together, but with autonomy from each other. Thus, a person can develop more of one or the other. They are the following:
- Linguistic intelligence: is the ability to use language, both in oral and written communication. Also to other non-verbal forms of communication, such as gestures, etc.
- logical-mathematical intelligence: refers to the ability for logical reasoning and solving mathematical calculations. Traditionally it was considered the axis of the concept of intelligence and had great weight in IQ tests.
- Spatial intelligence: also known as visual-spatial intelligence. It is the ability to perceive the person’s visual environment and their space to transform it, observe objects from different perspectives…
- Musical intelligence: This theory understands that, given that music is present in all cultures and that there are various brain areas directly related to its interpretation and composition, there is a latent musical intelligence transversal to all individuals.
- Bodily and kinesthetic intelligence: refers to the ability to process knowledge through bodily and motor sensations. In many cases this type of skills is required to handle tools.
- Intrapersonal intelligence: It is responsible for the regulation of emotions and attention focus, it refers to the individual’s capacity for introspection, to better know oneself and one’s inner life.
- Interpersonal intelligence: refers to the capacity for empathy, for relationships and social skills, to interpret others, their circumstances, problems and needs.
- naturalistic intelligence: it is the ability to observe, detect and categorize the environment and nature (its different phenomena, climatology, animal and plant species…), also the use of natural resources. It was the last type that Gardner incorporated into his theory, already in the 90s, considering it essential for the survival of human beings.
All people have these types of intelligence to a greater or lesser extent, interrelated with each other, although each one stands out more in some areas than in others. None is necessarily more important than the others, all are necessary to develop our lives.
Through this theory of multiple intelligences, Gardner advocated a change in the educational paradigm, which has traditionally prioritized logical-mathematical and linguistic knowledge, to open it to all areas of intelligence.
This author also pointed out that perhaps the different types of intelligence are not exactly those that he and his collaborators proposed, but that the importance of the theory lies in a conception of human knowledge composed of parallel and relatively independent processes.