Multiple Intelligences

As you can see, this post is about Multiple Intelligences which is proposed by Howard Gardner. In his book, Frames of Mind (1983), he said that intelligence is not a single unit. His theory proposed Eight distinct,relatively independant intelligence

In this theory, there can be more than eight intelligence actually, but this eight is the most common intelligence that we can see. What more important is as a human, we have all this intelligence but not all of them develop equally. That is why we have a few intelligence which is more dominant than the others.

Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences

• Verbal/Linguistic
• Logical/ Mathematical
• Visual/Spatial
• Bodily/Kinesthetic
• Musical/Rythmic
• Naturalist
• Interpersonal
• Intrapersonal

1. Verbal/Linguistic- Sensitive towards language, meanings of a word, relationship among words. This intelligence is associated with the ability to speak, write, reading and listening very well. Novelist, poet, copywriter, editor and public relation officer often has this type of intelligence
2. Logical/Mathematical-Abstract thought, precision, counting, organizing, logical structure. This type of intelligence display an aptitude for numbers, reasoning and problem solving. We can see this type of intelligence in mathematician, scientist, engineer and accountant
3. Visual/Spatial-Very keen observation, visual thinking, mental images, sense of gestalt, metaphor. Person who has this type of intelligence also enjoy maps, charts, graphs, tables, illustrations, arts, puzzles-anything eye catching. Architects, painters, naturalists or theoritical physicist usually have this kind of intelligence.
4. Musical/Ryhtmic-Sensitive to pitch, ryhtm, timbre, emotional power, complex organization. Associated with ability to learn well through songs, patterns, rythms, instrument and musical expressions. Performer, composer, conductor, recording engineer and those who create musical instrument possess this intelligence
5. Body/Kinesthetic-Control of one's body, timing and trained responses. Person who has this type of intelligence learn best through activity such as games, movement and hand on tasks. Athlete, dancer and surgeon are among the one who have this intelligence
6. Naturalist-Love the outdoors, animals, field trips. More than this, the person who has this intelligence love to pick up subtle differences in meaning. The traditional classroom environment has not been accomodating to these people. Animal doctors and environmental activist do possess this intelligence.
7. Interpersonal-Has high level of sensitivity towards others, and always consider others. Noticeable in people who do their learning cooperatively in groups or with a partner. Teacher, politician, religious leader and counselor are among the people who has this intelligence
8. Intrapersonal-Developed sense of self. Novelist, wise elder and philosopher are among those who possess this intelligence.

These eight intelligences are not the only intelligences found in Howard Gardner's theory as I stated earlier. With this multiple intelligences theory, I hope by now we can notice what type of intelligence that we possess. And right now we have two choices, either to enhance the other type of intelligence or to just focus on our dominant intelligence. Ask yourself and answer the question truthfully and you will become a better person than you are now. Thank you for reading this post.

*Based on Multiple Intelligences, Thinking Skill Courses (2008), UTP.