Theory of Multiple Intelligences proposed by Howard Gardner

1. Academic Writing
MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
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2. Howard Earl Gardner who was born in
1943 in Pennsylvania was a famous
educational psychologist. Gardner gained
much pleasure from playing the piano.
Gardner taught piano for eleven years
though he was not an expert in playing it.
He obtained his degree from Harvard
University in the year 1965. He was guided
by the famous psychologist Erik Erikson
during his graduation. He made a research
in Developmental Psychology and was
awarded a doctorate for the same.

3. Gardner in his book, Frames of Mind
(1983), introduced the concept of Multiple
Intelligences (MI). He provisionally listed
out seven intelligences. Out of these
seven, two intelligences are related to
schools; three are associated with arts;
and the remaining two are 'Personal
Intelligences'.

4. In 1999 Gardner further researched in the
area of multiple intelligences and found
that there are eight intelligences. He
recorded these findings in his book,
Frames of Mind. He broadly categorized
them under linguistic, logical-
mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-
kinesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal, and
intrapersonal intelligences. He also
proposed two more intelligences,
existential and pedagogical.

5. Linguistic Intelligence:-
Gardner called the person with this
intelligence as ‘Word Smart’ person.
This means sensitivity to spoken and
written language and the competency to
learn and use languages for certain
purposes. This intelligence also refers to
the rhetoric and poetic use of language
and language as a mnemonic device.
We can observe this kind of intelligence
among Writers, Poets, Lawyers and
Speakers.

6. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence:-
Persons endowed with this kind of
intelligence are Math Smart according to
Gardner. People with this kind of intelligence
can use, appreciate, and analyze abstract
relationships and possess the capacity to
analyze problems logically, carry out
mathematical operations, and investigate
issues scientifically. This type of intelligence
is often accompanied by scientific and
mathematical thinking. Mathematicians,
Scientists, and Engineers highly possess
this intelligence.

7. Musical Intelligence:-
‘Music Smart’ persons having skill in the
performance, composition, and
appreciation of music. It includes the
ability to recognize and compose
musical pitches, tones, and rhythms.
According to Gardner musical
intelligence exists along with linguistic
intelligence. It can be observed among
Composers, Musicians and Acoustic
engineers.

8. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: -
‘Body Smart’ refers to the capacity to use
one's whole body or parts of the body to
solve problems and mental abilities to
coordinate bodily movements. He found
some coordination between mental and
physical activities. Advanced forms of
problem solving and creativity by using the
body are clearly observed in the actions of
Choreographers, Rock climbers and skilled
Artisans.

9. Spatial Intelligence:-
‘Art Smart’ is the ability to recognize and use the
patterns of wide space and more confined areas. It
enables persons to perceive visual or spatial
information, to transform this information, and to
recreate memory based visual images. We can
observe blind people having this intelligence and
using it to create mental maps of their
surroundings. Architects, Artists, Surgeons, and
Pilots are certain categories of people having this
spatial intelligence at higher levels.

10. Interpersonal Intelligence:-
The persons who have this type of
intelligence are called ‘People Smart’
according to Gardner. This refers to the
capacity to understand the intentions,
motivations and desires of other people. It
enhances the abilities of people to work
effectively with others. Interpersonal
intelligence is found among successful
Teachers, Actors, Therapists, Political
leaders, Religious and Salespeople.

11. Intrapersonal Intelligence:-
‘Self Smart’ people having intra-personal
intelligence possess the capacity to
understand themselves and to appreciate
their feelings, fears and motivations.
According to Gardner, intra-personal
intelligence involves having an effective
working model of ourselves, and to be able to
use such information to control our lives. It
can also be frequently found in skilful auto-
biographers and among the individuals who
make the best choices about their life and
work.

12. Naturalist Intelligence:-
People having the competency to solve
problems by distinguishing, classifying, and
using features of the natural world are
categorized as ‘Nature Smart’. This intelligence
is abundantly found in people’s ability to
categorize different kinds of plants and animals.
It is a prerequisite for the people who work as
Landscape Architects, Hunters, Archaeologists,
Environmental Scientists and Farmers for their
better performance in their respective areas.

13. Existential Intelligence:-
People having sensitivity and capacity to
tackle deep questions about human
existence are called ‘Life Smart’. They
frequently try to find out answers to
questions which are related to deep
philosophical thinking such as, “What is the
meaning of life? Why do we die? How did
we get here?”

14. Teachers, Educational Administrators,
Teacher-Educators and Special Educators
are being inspired by Gardner's theory of
multiple intelligences as it has given space
for the idea that there is more than one way
to define a person's intellect.

15. References:-
• https://howardgardner.com
• http://multipleintelligencesoasis.org
• Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple
Intelligences
• Multiple Intelligences around the World
• Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in
Practice
• Intelligence Reframed: Multiple
Intelligences for the 21st Century
• Changing Minds: The Art and Science
of Changing Our Own and Other
People's Minds

16. THANK YOU