Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Ever since Spearman proposed the intelligence theory with G factor, there were several other intelligence theories proposed in response or as an alternative to Spearman’s. Among those, Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory of Intelligence and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory would be the most influential ones as they are widely accepted and used in real life. Both of the theories share a critical view towards the unitary perspective which is the traditional definition of intelligence. However, the two theories differ in which they don’t agree with what factors should be the measures of intelligence, as well as the emphasis of the two theories.

Gardner describes bodily-kinesthetic knowledge as being able to solve problems with the body (Gardner 513). Sports is the best example for this intelligence. Gardner believes that you are born with this intelligence. He gives the example of Babe Ruth knowing what his “instrument” was upon first exposure (Gardner 512). I had a similar experience. For as long as I can remember, I have always been able to swim. My mind just

Gardner examined many subjects to decide upon the seven intelligences in his Multiple theories of Intelligence. Gardner finally concluded that intelligent behavior does not come from one single quality of the mind. He believed that different intelligences are generated from different metaphorical pools of mental energy, and that these pools enable people to solve problems or create products that are valued within one or more cultural settings. He came up with this concept from his experiences working with members of different populations where certain cognitive abilities are apparent even in the absence of basic abilities. For example, when an autistic person is a genius at math and lacks the ability to tie his shoes.

     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

Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences challenges the common belief that intelligence is one-dimensional. He believes that there are 8 main intelligences: linguistic, mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. In the gifted program, teachers and students work together to exercise the different kinds of learning styles, in order to utilize the gifted learner’s full potential. They receive enrichment to do so, as they are guided to using all kinds of intelligences, so they strengthen them starting from a

‘‘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

"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,

I am going to provide real-world examples for three types of intelligence as theorized by Gardner: verbal/linguistic, body-kinesthetic (movement), and logical/mathematical. I'll explain why each example represents one of the types of intelligence and present argumentative critics that have been offered against Gardner's research.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence are people who learn better by involving muscular movements, they are good at physical activities and building things.

The brain is a complicated thing, and there is evidence to suggest that the mind is not dominated by a single general ability. To many, Howard Gardner is an influential man in the field of education. He is known for his famous theory of multiple intelligences.

You use mental abilities to coordinate body movements. I think just about everyone has this intelligence. If we didn’t then we would not be able to move very well. The next intelligence is spatial intelligence.

People don’t usually describe them as intelligences but as abilities and to this, Howard Gardner states ‘it is not HOW SMART ARE YOU? BUT HOW ARE YOU SMART?’ People that play sports well and are stated to have bodily kinesthetic, have learned how to move and adjust to throw a ball or to tackle another player. The people that don’t know how to do those things, just haven’t required the knowledge and skills to do them yet. Everyone takes hours to learn to read and add and lots of people

The fourth intelligence is Kinesthetic Intelligence. This intelligence “entails the potential of using one’s whole body or parts of the body to solve problems,” (smith 2008). This intelligence allows one to coordinate

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).

Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences in his book, "Frames of Mind" in 1983 (Smith, 2006). Initially, Gardner spoke of seven intelligences and later added two. The first two are considered fundamental and most revered in the public school system, they are Linguistic intelligence and Logical-Mathematic intelligence. Linguistic intelligence includes the capability to use, speak and learn languages and words. Logical-Mathematic intelligence is the skill of working proficiently with numbers. Musical intelligence is the ability of performing, recognizing, and writing music. Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence is utilizing the mind and the body together to solve problems. Visual-Spatial