The Adult Mind and Abilities Within

Prior to this assignment, I believe that a person can have more than one learning style to obtain knowledge and apply it. I believe that Gardner’s multiple intelligences connect to different learning styles, such as visual, linguistic, bodily kinesthetic, etc. Personally, I believe I am a bodily kinesthetic learner and need hands-on experience to understand what is being taught. Moreover, these beliefs came from past experiences in my education along with past knowledge of learning styles in a couple of my previous courses.

What is intelligence to you? Intelligence to me is someone who is able to be creative and can think outside the box. There are many different ideas of intelligence, depending on the person you speak to. Many traits can go into being intelligent; therefore, there is no single underlying factor. Some simple traits are: creative, thinker, knowledge, the ability to set a goal and achieve it, and able to think outside the box. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, intelligence is “the ability to learn or understand things or to deal with new or difficult situations.” (www.merriam-webster.com) Our textbook says intelligence is “the ability to solve problems and to adapt and learn from experiences.” (Ch. 8, Pg. 247, Santrock)

Intelligence by definition is “the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills” (Oxford Dictionary, 2014). However, many psychologists argue that there is no standard definition of ‘intelligence’, and there have been many different theories over time as psychologists try to find better ways to define this concept (Boundless 2013). While some believe in a single, general intelligence, others believe that intelligence involves multiple abilities and skills. Another largely debated concept is whether intelligence is genetically determined and fixed, or whether is it open to change, through learning and environmental influence. This is commonly known as the nature vs. nurture debate.

In this intelligence, it is the ability to understand oneself. You have to appreciate one’s feelings, fears and motivations. I also believe that just about everyone has this intelligence. If not then we would be a complete

The theory of multiple intelligences provides useful insights into efficient learning through the identification of numerous types of student learners. This identification process occurs based on the ideas of Howard Gardner, the psychologist mainly responsible for the theory. They state that intelligence is not a single entity, but instead split into several categories. Each individual mind has a unique blend of these intelligences, with its own strengths and weaknesses. For instance, in his article “Howard Gardner, Multiple Intelligences, and Education”, Mark Smith defines musical intelligence as the ability to recognize and perform pitches, tones, and rhythms with skill and appreciation (Smith 4). Obviously, a student possessing high musical intelligence would be stronger in this area of education. However, they might be weaker in other, such as in the linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, or naturalist intelligences. These strengths and weaknesses in the different intelligences are

Verbal-Linguistic intelligence speaks to an individual’s ability to understand and manipulate words and language. This intelligence is possessed by everyone at the same level and includes reading, writing, speaking and other forms of verbal and written communication. Logical-Mathematical intelligence refers to an individual's ability to do things with data: collect, and organize, analyze and interpret, conclude and predict. Individuals strong in this intelligence see patterns and relationships. These individuals are oriented toward thinking: inductive and deductive logic, numeration, and abstract patterns. Visual-Spatial intelligence refers to the ability to form and manipulate

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.

Emory College Science Research Division quotes Howard Gardner, education theorist: “The claim is that there are at least eight different human intelligences. Most intelligence tests look at language or logic or both - those are just two of the intelligences. The other six are musical, spatial, bodily/kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist” (qtd. in Ainslie). IQ tests contain the ability to distinguish high knowledge in two out of eight intelligences (Ainslie). Therefore, those high IQ scorers show above proficiency in only 25% of all intelligences applicable. Some may argue IQ tests prove value in the two most important of intelligences; however, knowing how to recognize patterns does not correlate to accurately making important life decisions. IQ tests become inefficient in proving overall intelligence due to the fact it can show above proficient ability in only a quarter of all eight

Most people know that everyone has different learning styles. The way we absorb, analyze, and retain information is what makes each individual unique. What is successful for one individual may not be the most optimal way of learning for someone else. Mr. Howard Gardner, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, suggested that there are eight different intelligences governing which learning style would be the most productive-based upon our own

These intelligences are Bodily-kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Linguistic, Logical-mathematical, Musical, Naturalistic and Spatial. Garner believed “A single number (a score on an IQ test) cannot adequately represent the complex and diverse capabilities of a human being” (Oregon Technology in Education Council, 2011). Garner’s theory is related to how students learn and how they can develop skills in certain areas. These different types of intelligences are critical to the growth of students in the classroom.

The first seven, as listed in Frames of Mind: Theory of Multiple Intelligences (1983); Linguistic intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence, musical intelligence, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, spatial intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, and intrapersonal intelligence. A great discrimination may be concluded in the singular view of importance in one specific area of intelligence. Musical intelligence is the understanding and ability to read pitches, tones, and rhythms. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence refers to the ability to control one’s bodily movements. These next two intelligences are primarily school measured intelligences. Logical-mathematical intelligence was described as the ability to think logically, detect patterns, and deductive reasoning. Linguistic intelligence refers to the communicative abilities and emphasizes reading and writing comprehension. These are the most tested and widely scrutinized subjects of study, as they were the measure of success, and left other areas inadequate and trivial. Spatial intelligence is the ability to recognize patterns or shapes within your mind. I refer to it as mental visualization.

Humans are all unique, yet they all learn using a similar process due to the brain’s structure. Networks of neurons work together in the brain to maintain information that people learn in stages. The neurons in these networks, or “forests”, fire neurotransmitters across synapses depending on how a person feels. Positive feelings stimulate the brain and improve its learning capabilities. There are many strategies people can use to improve their learning experiences, even when their emotions distract them. As long as the brain is continually stimulated, its “forest” of knowledge will thrive.

Intelligence is a combination of knowledge and aptitude and shows the breadth and rate of learning (Mayer, Roberts, & Barsade 2008, p.511).

Intelligence is typically defined as the ability to collect of knowledge and the ability to use knowledge. For example, the American Heritage Dictionary ( fourth edition, 2000) defines intelligence as “the capacity to acquire and apply knowledge.” However according to S. Legg and M. Hutter, “Despite a long history of research and debate, there is still

[i]-It is universal phenomenon: Learning is a process which is experienced by all the living creatures. Man brain is the most complex system which enables him to learn and acquire new skills, habits and behaviour from the childhood.