Multiple Intelligence : The Theory Of Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner introduced the theory of multiple intelligences stating that each person possesses a blend of at least eight different kinds of intelligence: verbal/linguistic, logical/mathematical, visual/spatial, bodily/kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and environmental/naturalistic (Bruno, 2009).

In “A Rounded Version: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences”, Howard Gardner illustrates how there are a variety of intelligences. Gardner starts off with an example how IQ tests may predict achievement in school but may not predict achievement in life. After finding out certain parts of the brain are responsible for certain functions, such as “Broca’s Area” which is responsible for sentence production, Gardner proposes the existence of multiple intelligences. Multiple studies later led him to propose seven distinct intelligences; Musical, bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, linguistic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Each intelligence has certain classifications. According to Gardner’s classifications, I realized my intelligences are bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, and intrapersonal.

Howard Gardner developed the Multiple intelligence theory. Gardner believed that the human mind did not have one general intelligence but many that had independent functions. He believed that the previous measure of intelligence did not accurately measure the capability of the human mind. "While formulating this theory, Gardner placed less emphasis on explaining the results of mental tests than on accounting for the range of human abilities that exist across a vast majority of cultures. (www.associatedcontent.com)

     A renowned professor of education and psychology at Harvard University, Howard Gardner has radically changed the way we look at intelligence. In 1983 Gardner published the first of two books that theorize that there are multiple intelligences. Gardner believes “that human cognitive competence is better described in terms of a set of abilities, talents, or mental skills, which we call “intelligence” (378). Gardner’s theory dismisses the idea that intelligence is a single attribute of the mind and suggests that there are different types of intelligences that account for different human

‘‘Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory can be used for curriculum development, planning instruction, selection of course activities, and related assessment strategies. Instruction which is designed to help students develop their strengths can also trigger their confidence to develop areas in which they are not as strong. Students’ multiple learning preferences can be addressed when instruction includes a range of meaningful and appropriate methods, activities, and assessments. Gardner’s early work in psychology and later in human cognition and human potential’ led to the development of the initial six intelligences. Today there are nine intelligences and the possibility of others may eventually expand the list. These intelligences (or competencies) relate to a person’s unique aptitude set of capabilities and ways they might prefer to demonstrate intellectual abilities’’ ( (Armstrong, T., 2010). Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

Howard Earl Gardner was born on July 11, 1943 in Scranton, Pennsylvania and is currently an adjunct professor of psychology at Harvard University. Gardner is a developmental psychologist best-known for this theory of multiple intelligences. He believes that the established notions of intelligence are restrictive and narrow and that by measuring IQ frequently meant missing out on the other "intelligences" that a person could possess. Gardner has identified and described eight distinct kinds of intelligence and suggested the possibility of a ninth type that he has labeled "existential intelligence." in his book Frames of Mind. Education circles as well as in the field of psychology have criticized Gardner's definition of intelligence. His

"Gardner's original Theory of Multiple Intelligences consists of three components, seven "intelligences," and eight supporting criteria of what comprises an "intelligence." The Three Components include: a definition of intelligence, a challenge to the notion of a general intelligence (g), and a challenge to the conviction that g can be reliably measured." (Helding,

What is genius? Since the dawn of 20th century psychologists have been measuring what they consider general intelligence under the assumption that there is a single mental capacity a person possesses that is measurable through an IQ test. The popularity of IQ tests among the general public has lead to the linking of genius solely to the type of intelligence measured on these tests. Howard Gardner, Professor of Cognition at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, is well known for his theory of multiple intelligences which critiques and challenges the notion of a singular measurable intelligence. Despite scoring normally on standardized tests I argue that I am a genius because of the unique combination of my visual/spatial, musical, and naturalist intelligences.

This brings us to Howard Gardner who is the Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Boston, MA. Mr. Gardner’s educational philosophy is that there is a relationship between intelligences and how the person learns the information being taught. Gardner broke this down into eight separate intelligences: linguistic intelligence, musical intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence, spatial intelligence, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, and naturalist intelligence.

Knowing the various forms of intelligence and learning strategies can help develop a better understanding of how you take in new information and better help your life learning.

Howard Gardner was best known for his theory of multiple intelligences. In his article entitled “A Rounded Version: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences,” Gardner explains the seven types of intelligences and what makes an individual “intelligent” in those areas. One of his definitions for intelligence is that it “entails the ability to solve problems or fashion products that are of consequence in a particular cultural setting or community” (Gardner 509). Schooling and education deal immensely on various types of problem solving, and a student’s ability to solve problems foreshadowed his/her future success (Gardner 507). With this in mind, one may come to the question of whether or not schooling and education best accommodates the seven

The theory of multiple intelligences was developed by Dr. Howard Gardner in 1983. The Theory of Multiple Intelligences is a critique of the standard psychological view of intellect: there is a single intelligence, adequately measured by IQ or other short answer tests. Instead, on the basis of evidence from disparate sources, the theory claims that human beings have a number of relatively discrete intellectual capacities. IQ tests assess linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence, and sometimes spatial intelligence; they are a reasonably good predictor of who will do well in school. This is because humans have several other significant intellectual capacities (Harvard University).

As a teacher it will always be my responsibility to keep up to date on new research done on learning theories. That way I am able to provide a fun and exciting learning environment for my students. After learning about Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences I now realize how important it is to make sure I work hard to include every child into my curriculum. Gardner’s theory is that everyone is able to recognize a student that does scores great on an exam is smart, that does not mean that a student that falls short of doing good on the same test is not as brilliant as the other student. Howard Gardner’s, theory opposes traditional methods that view intelligences as unitary, and perceives intelligence to contain eight

According to the originator of multiple intelligences theory, Howard Gardner, however, intelligence can be defined in three ways, namely a property of all human beings; a dimension on which human beings differ; and the ways in which one carries out a task in virtue of one 's goals. (Donovan McFarlane)

Just like a snowflake, each human is unique and possess different qualities and characteristics. No one is exactly alike, not even identical twins. This is also true when speaking about intelligence. Intelligence can be defined as the ability to resolve problems. This can be done in many ways. Howard Gardner suggests that intelligence can be classified into nine different categories: linguistic, spatial, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalistic, and existential. Each person differs in strengths and weaknesses and may possess different intelligences. An individual may be highly skilled in math and problem solving, but may possess no musical skills. It would benefit a student in college to evaluate Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences and determine their strengths when deciding what profession would suit them the best. Examining each type of intelligence mentioned in Gardner’s multiple intelligences will yield more knowledge to a student who is in search for a suitable career.