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Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner’s

Theory of Multiple Intelligences

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Howard Gardner“I want my children to understand the world, but not just because the world is fascinating and the human mind is curious. I want them to understand it so that they will be positioned to make it a better place. Knowledge is not the same as morality, but we need to understand if we are to avoid past mistakes and move in productive directions. An important part of that understanding is knowing who we are and what we can do... Ultimately, we must synthesize our understandings for ourselves. The performance of understanding that try matters are the ones we carry out as human beings in an imperfect world which we can affect for good or for ill.” (Howard Gardner, 1999)

The multiple intelligences theory provides a new definition of cognitive human nature. According to Gardner, humans are organisms who possess a basic set of intelligences.

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People have a unique blend of intelligences. Our greatest challenge is how to use the blend of intelligences.

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Eight Multiple Intelligences Verbal linguistic Logical-mathematical Spatial Musical rhythmic Bodily-kinesthetic Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalist

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Linguistic intelligence Sensitive to spoken & written language Has ability to learn languages Uses language to accomplish goals Uses language as a means to remember

information Examples: writers, poets, lawyers and

speakers

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Logical-mathematical intelligence Able to analyze problems logically Carries out mathematical operations Investigates issues scientifically Able to detect patterns Able to reason deductively & think

logically This intelligence is most often associated

with scientific and mathematical thinking

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Spatial intelligence Recognizes & uses the patterns or shapes

in open space & in confined areas

Examples: architects, designers, engineers, employees of moving companies, retailers, etc.

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Musical intelligence Skill performing, composing, & appreciating

musical patterns Able to recognize & compose musical

pitches, tones, and rhythms Note: (according to Howard Gardner) musical

intelligence runs in an almost structural parallel to linguistic intelligence.

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Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence Using one's body or parts of the body to solve

problems Using mental abilities to coordinate bodily

movements Howard Gardner sees mental and physical

activity as related. Examples: athletes, dancers, actors

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Interpersonal intelligence Able to understand intentions, motivations

and desires of other people Able work effectively with others Examples: Educators, salespeople, religious

and political leaders, and counselors all need a well-developed interpersonal intelligence.

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Intrapersonal intelligence

The capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one's feelings, fears and motivations

Involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives.

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Naturalist intelligence Ability to make consequential distinctions in nature

—between one plant and another, among animals, clouds, mountains, and the like.

Scientist Charles Darwin had high naturalist intelligence.

Most of us no longer use our naturalist intelligence to survive in the jungle or the forest.

Our consumer culture is based on our naturalist capacity to differentiate one car make from another, one sneaker from another, and the like.

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Gardner said the eight intelligences rarely operate independently.

Multiple intelligences are used at the same time & complement each other as people develop skills or solve problems.

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These intelligences, according to Howard Gardner, can be put to constructive or destructive (amoral) use.

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Eight kinds of intelligence would allow eight ways to teach, rather than one.

This would allow children more ways to learn and express themselves.

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Review

List the eight intelligences and give an example of each.

Go to http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/index.htm

To find out your multiple intelligences. Email yourself a hard copy, print it off for homework and bring it to class tomorrow.

Credits: State of North Carolina FCS

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