Howard Gardner developed the theory of multiple intelligences which posits that intelligence is not a single general ability but rather consists of at least eight specific intelligences including linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. The theory has influenced education by encouraging teachers to address different types of intelligences, though it has also received criticism for lacking validation from research in cognitive neuroscience and for not accounting for working memory.

1. Howard Gardner and the Theory of
Multiple Intelligences
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.martin/files/multiple_intelligences_diagram
By Patrick Gardner

2. The Plan
• Background information about Howard
Gardner and MI theory
• A short clip of Howard Gardner discussing the
theory of multiple intelligences
• Individual/group activity
• Implications and criticism of the theory
• Assessment

3. Howard Gardner
• Born July 11, 1943 in Scranton,
Pennsylvania
• Inspired by Jean Piaget to study
developmental psychology.
• Almost all of his post-secondary
life has been spent at Harvard
University.
• Developed his theory while
working with both “gifted”
children and those with severe
brain injury.
• His theory was first articulated
when he published his first book
Frames of Mind: The Theory of
Multiple intelligences in 1983.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
lmoQFEfVeSo/UCAqFa2WGKI/AAAAAAAAMbw/YUhIxg1Mf2k/s1600

4. Howard’s Definitions of Intelligence
"Intelligence is the ability to find and solve
problems and create products of value
in one's own culture.“
-Howard Gardner
Eight criteria for intelligence:
1) Potential for brain isolation by brain
damage.
2) A place in evolutionary history.
3) Presence of core operations.
4) Susceptibility to encoding (symbolic
expression)
5) A distinct developmental progression
6) The existence of savants, prodigies and
other exceptional people.
7) Support from experimental psychology
8) Supported Psychometric Tasks (Gardner,
1983)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SnGKYdtstRg/TR1hSzW5dmI/AAAAAAAAAjI/ksSFcy0h9DY
/s320/frames-of-mind-the-theory-of-multiple-intelligences-14607077.jpeg

5. The Theory
http://sdwriters.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/intelligences.gif

6. Clip of Howard Gardner
discussing his theory
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2QtSbP4F
Rg&feature=player_detailpage

7. http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.martin/files/multiple_intelligences_diagram

8. Implications
• Not readily accepted in the
psychological community but
very influential in education.
• Many teachers have adopted the
idea of multiple intelligences as a
way to meet all students’ needs.
• Entire Schools, such as the New
City School in St. Louis, Missouri
are using the theory as a
framework for running their
school.
• Howard’s work with Project Zero
and the GoodWork project. http://www.newcityschool.org/Visit_13.aspx

9. Criticism
• MI theory is simply common sense and rather
than intelligences they refer to a student’s
abilities and strengths.
• The theory is not validated by research,
particularly in the field of cognitive
neuroscience (Kincheloe, 2007).
• Working memory is not taken into account
(Eggen & Kauchak, 2013).

10. References:
• Eggen, P., & Kauchak, D. (2013) “Educational
psychology: Windows into classrooms.” New
York: Pearsons.
• Gardner, Howard. (1983) "Frames of Mind: The
Theory of Multiple Intelligences." New York: Basic
Books.
• Gardner, Howard. (1999) "Intelligence Reframed:
Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century." New
York: Basic Books.
• Joe L. Kincheloe (ed.). (2007) Multiple
Intelligences Reconsidered. New York: Peter Lang