Multiple Intelligences Handout

Multiple Intelligences (Howard Gardner)
Howard Gardner – was born on July 11, 1943 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He described himself as "a studious
child who gained much pleasure from playing the piano." He completed his post-secondary
education at Harvard, earning his undergraduate degree in 1965 and his Ph.D. in 1971.
- His 1983 book Frames of Mind outlined his theory and his eight major types of intelligence.
THE MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE THEORY

- A psychological theory about the human mind. It is against the notion that intelligence is a single
trait that we are born with and can’t change. It states that there are at least eight different
human intelligences that all human beings possess.
- According to this theory, people have many different ways of learning. Unlike traditional
theories of intelligence that focus on one single general intelligence, Gardner believed that
people instead have multiple different ways of thinking and learning.
Gardner has since identified and described eight different kinds of intelligence:
1. Visual-spatial intelligence
2. Linguistic-verbal intelligence
3. Mathematical-Logical intelligence
4. Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence
5. Musical intelligence
6. Interpersonal intelligence
7. Intrapersonal intelligence
8. Naturalistic intelligence
He has also proposed the possible addition of a ninth type which he refers to as "Existential intelligence."
1. Visual-Spatial Intelligence: The capacity to think in images and pictures, to visualize accurately and
abstractly. This intelligence gives the ability to conceptualize large-scale spatial arrays and is
defined as the ability to perceive the visual world accurately and to perform modifications and
transformations upon the initial perceptions but still be able to recreate aspects of one’s visual
experience in the absence of physical stimuli.
2. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence: Well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings
and rhythms of words. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence deals with the art of communication using
words. However, it goes deeper than the normal communication we need for interacting with
others. This intelligence gives you developed linguistic skills that will enable you to write and
speak fluently, while making use of vocabulary that will enable you to convey exactly what you
need to convey with a high degree of precision.
3. Mathematical-Logical Intelligence: The ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and the capacity
to discern logical or numerical patterns. This intelligence is about the ability to conceptualize
logical relations among symbols or actions. It gives a student the ability to understand complex
problems by assessing the relationships between different symbols, actions or processes. This
intelligence asks questions and seeks logical solutions for the problems. It gives the power to
analyze and evaluate the problem-solving process to try and find the best logical way of solving
problems.
4. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects

skillfully. This intelligence is about movements like the name suggests. These movements
involve the entire body as whole or individual parts of the body. They can be used for self
expression, or for creating a desired effect like in the case of a dancer.
5. Musical Intelligence: The ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch and timbre. Musical
intelligence is found people with a sharp ear for detail. Unlike most of the others who merely
have the ability to perceive music, these people are able to perceive and appreciate detailed
aspects of music.
6. Interpersonal Intelligence: The capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods,

motivations and desires of others. Interpersonal intelligence is about the ability of a person to
interact effectively with others. This means that they need to understand what is going on in the
other person’s mind. It is seen in the ability of an individual to establish and maintain human
relationships.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence: The capacity to be self-aware and in tune with inner feelings, values,
beliefs and thinking processes. Unlike interpersonal intelligence, this intelligence is about self
awareness. It is the ability to monitor your own thoughts, feelings, weaknesses, desires, moods,
anxieties, strengths, goals and progress over time. This means that you will be better able to
manage your own anxieties; hence it will be easy to make plans that are in line with your
strengths.
8. Naturalist Intelligence: The ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals and other objects in
nature. It brings the ability to perceive nature with a high degree of accuracy. With this ability,
it’s easy to recognize and categorize elements of nature according to their usefulness. This is
one ability that was very valuable in the past when humans survived by hunting and gathering.
It is still useful in roles such as botanists, farmers and chefs.
9. Existential Intelligence: The sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence,
such as the meaning of life, why we die and how we got here. It involves an individual’s ability to
use collective values and intuition to understand others and the world around them. People who
excel in this intelligence typically are able to see the big picture.
*JSBSW18

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Multiple Intelligences (Howard Gardner)

THE MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE THEORY

4. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The ability to control one's body movements and to handle objects

6. Interpersonal Intelligence: The capacity to detect and respond appropriately to the moods,

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