The paradigm based on a single type of intelligence was left behind years ago. It has been observed that the most traditional intelligence model only measured some logical-mathematical abilities and that many people were capable of functioning correctly and adapting to life circumstances without the need to have that intelligence developed.
The model of multiple intelligences proposed by Howard Gardner in 1983 states that there are different types of intelligence and that each individual develops those that best suit him or her, whether by promoting musical, corporal, interpersonal, naturalistic or logical-mathematical intelligence. Each person has a high potential to highlight and strengthen one type or another of intelligence. In the following Psychology-Online article we will talk about the types multiple intelligences and Howard Gardner’s theory.
What are the multiple intelligences
We define multiple intelligences as eight cognitive abilities that we all possess and all at some level. These abilities are relatively autonomous and were defined from the study of mental abilities identified through a study of particular cases.
The different types of intelligence can develop through practice and reinforcementor, so it is not completely innate. Human potential plays a very important role in fostering multiple intelligences described by Howard Gardner.
Howard Gardner Biography
Howard Gardner was born in 1943. He comes from a Jewish family, refugees from Nazi Germany. A fact that marked Howard Gardner’s biography was his interest in psychology, influenced by the thoughts of Erik Erikcson and Jerome Bruner and, thanks to this interest, he decided to train at Harvard University in psychology and neuropsychology. So, he is an American psychologist who contributes to education and psychology.
Other relevant facts from Howard Gardner’s biography are his jobs as a teacher of education and psychology at Harvard University, professor of neurology at Boston University, specifically, at the school of medicine and, writer of numerous books written thanks to their experience, their research and their theories.
Howard Gardner is best known for his research on the mind and intelligence of the human being. In this sense, after having investigated the development of human cognitive capacity for a long time, in 1993, Gardner presented his best-known theory: the theory of multiple intelligences.
Thanks to his ideals and thoughts, Howard Gardner managed to question a large number of very marked traditional beliefs such as, for example, the belief in the existence of a single dimension of intelligence, the importance of intelligence as the most reliable tool to evaluate mental capacity and classifying students based on possible successes/failures of their schooling, without taking into account what each one is like, how much and how they should learn, etc.
Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences
Dr. Howard Gardner, director of Project Zero and professor of psychology and educational sciences at Harvard University, proposed his theory of Multiple Intelligences in 1993. In it, he concluded that intelligence is not something innate and fixed that masters all the skills and problem-solving abilities of the human being.
Furthermore, it has established that intelligence is located in different areas of the braininterconnected with each other and that can also work individually, having the property of developing widely if they find an environment that offers the necessary conditions for this.
Howard Gardner and his book on multiple intelligences
The history of multiple intelligences dates back to Howard Gardner’s book “Structures of the Mind”, which introduces the concept of multiple intelligences by posing the following problem:
A little girl spends an hour with an examiner, who asks her questions to evaluate your intelligence ‘Who discovered America?’ ‘What does exaggerated mean?’ or on their ability to remember numbers ‘complete the following sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8’ (…) An hour later, the examiner scores the answers and obtains a figure: the intellectual quotient or IQ.
This number can be terribly decisive for the girl; the importance we give to IQ is not entirely adequate. So what would happen if we considered a broader and more diverse view of intelligence?
Let’s consider, then, those people who may not know how to recite a literature syllabus by heart but who are capable of getting out of a compromised situation with grace and quick thinking. Or those children who have difficulty solving an equation but have no problem passing high-level physical tests.
In this sense, thanks to Gardner a broader vision of the human mind emergedcoming to increasingly value other aspects related to cognitive abilities, such as imagination, creativity, emotions, interpersonal relationships, etc.
Types of multiple intelligences and examples according to Gardner
In the 1983 edition of the book “Multiple Intelligences”, Gardner affirms the existence of seven types of intelligence, however, today we can list 12 types of intelligence according to Howard Gardner. Let’s look at each of these multiple intelligences with examples.
1. Linguistic-verbal intelligence
Verbal intelligence is that which can be observed in people with the ease of expressing, understanding and developing complex verbal messages. Thanks to linguistic intelligence we can learn new languages more easily, brain areas such as the brain (responsible for the production and understanding of language) are usually more developed in these cases.
It is the ability to use words effectively, manipulating the structure or syntax of the language, phonetics, semantics, and its practical dimensions. We can find this type of intelligence in children who love write stories, read, play with rhymestongue twisters and those who easily learn other languages.
2. Physical-kinesthetic intelligence
It is the ability to use one’s own body to express ideas and feelingsand its particularities of coordination, balance, dexterity, strength, flexibility and speed, as well as proprioceptive and tactile.
It is appreciated in children who excel in sports activities, dance, body expression and/or construction work using various concrete materials. Also in those who are skilled in playing instruments.
3. Logical-mathematical intelligence
It is the ability to effectively handle numbers, relationships, and logical patterns, as well as other functions and abstractions of this type. Among the types of multiple intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence would be largely related to what has been considered until now as the only intelligence, the IQ.
It is about the rational and mathematical functioning that usually manifests itself in people dedicated to the scientific and academic field, for example, where ratio predominates in the general modes of action.
The children who have developed it They easily analyze approaches and problems. They approach numerical calculations, statistics, and budgets with enthusiasm.
4. Spatial intelligence
It is the ability to appreciate with certainty the visual and spatial image, of graphically represent ideas, and to raise awareness of color, line, shape, figure, space and their interrelationships. Multiple spatial intelligence is that which allows one to easily deal with different environments and spaces, whether physically real or imagined.
Some examples of people with a good development of spatial intelligence are architects, designers, tourist guides, hikers, among others. These examples of jobs with high levels of spatial intelligence that allow them imagine and create new spaces and/or orient yourself correctly in the different places where they are found.
It is in children who study better with graphs, diagrams, charts. They like to make conceptual and mental maps. They understand very well Blue prints ans drafts.
5. Musical intelligence
It is the ability to perceive, distinguish, transform and express the rhythm, timbre and tone of musical sounds. The next type of multiple intelligence is musical intelligence which, as its name indicates, involves the capacity and ability to develop skillfully in the musical field.
From composers to musicians, conductors, singers, etc. They are examples of people who have high levels of development of musical intelligence, which allows them to successfully carry out their professional careers.
Children who show it are attracted to the sounds of nature and all kinds of melodies. They enjoy following the beat with their foot, hitting or shaking some object rhythmically.
6. Interpersonal intelligence
It is the possibility of distinguishing and perceiving the emotional states and interpersonal signs of others, and responding effectively to these actions in a practical way. People with high levels of interpersonal intelligence are people with skills to establish healthy and good social relationships.
These are people with high levels of empathy, assertiveness and cordialityfundamental aspects to establish positive and constructive relationships in life.
Children who enjoy working in groups, who are convincing in their negotiations with peers and elders, who understand their partner have it.
7. Intrapersonal intelligence
It is the ability to self-introspect, and to act consistently on the basis of this knowledge, to have an accurate self-image, and capacity for self-discipline, understanding and self-love.
It is evidenced by children who are reflective, have accurate reasoning and tend to be advisors to their parents. Howard Gardner uses an autistic child as an example to illustrate this type of damaged intelligence.”The child may be unable to refer to himself. At the same time, he often displays extraordinary abilities in the musical, spatial or mechanical area.“
8. Naturalistic intelligence
The latest addition to the list of multiple intelligences is naturalistic intelligence (added in the 1995 edition). This is defined as the ability to distinguish, classify and use elements of the environment, objects, animals or plants. Both urban and suburban or rural environment. It includes the skills of observation, experimentation, reflection and questioning of our environment.
It occurs in children who love animals, plants; who recognize and like to investigate characteristics of the natural and man-made world. If you want to know more, check out our post.
9. Bodily kinesthetic
This is one of Howard Gardner’s types of multiple intelligence that refers to the ability to make good use of the body,…