Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences

 

Howard Gardner, a contemporary American developmental psychologist, rejected the traditional theory of general intelligence, instead identifying intelligence as the ability to solve problems and to generate new problems to solve.  He identified eight types of intelligence: 

Type of Intelligence		Method of Processing	Potential Careers
Verbal/Linguistic	Word Smart	Process through words and language	Author, newscaster, journalist, attorney
Logical/Mathematical	Math Smart	Process through analyzing, grouping, quantifying, and characterizing information	Scientist, accountant, philosopher, computer programmer
Musical/Rhythmical	Music Smart	Process through sound, rhythm, and music	Musician, entertainer, instrument-maker, composer
Visual/Spatial	Art Smart	Process through pictures, visuals, and images	Architect, engineer, sculptor, pilot
Bodily/Kinesthetic	Body Smart	Process through movement and sensation	Athlete, craftsman, dancer, surgeon
Intrapersonal	Self Smart	Process through self-reflection and understanding of themselves	Poet, theologian, psychologist, philosopher
Interpersonal	People Smart	Process through understanding and relating to others	Counselor, minister, teacher, politician
Naturalistic	Nature Smart	Process through an understanding of natural systems	Farmer, landscaper, botanist, ecologist

Gardner determined that most people primarily use one or two intelligences.  He stated that although no one type of intelligence is better than another, different cultures do have biases toward different intelligences, respecting those intelligences more than others.  As the culture in America tends to favor verbal/linguistic and logical/mathematical intelligences, we tend to teach and test to those intelligences.  That is fine for students who are "word smart" or "math smart", but leaves out those who learn better through any of the other 6 intelligences.  

Next week, we'll talk about specific activities to help students learn to read through multiple intelligences.

Misty