1. Activity Sheet:
Background Information: Understanding Multiple Intelligences*
Howard Gardner, a Harvard professor, did pioneering research in this area. He maintains that measuring
intelligence (IQ) with one number is misleading. It leads us to believe that there is one intelligence.
According to Dr. Gardner, there are actually eight intelligences.t That is, we have eight different abilities
to pick from when solving problems. Unfortunately, many of us have been trained to use only two or
three of these. Just think of what we can do once we tap into as many of the eight intelligences as
possible!
The Eight Intelligences*
Although some of our eight intelligences are more advanced than the others, we have traces of each
intelligence. Some may be highly developed and some a little less developed. Here is Gardner's list (with
clarification in parentheses provided from the work of Thomas Armstrong).
Linguistic intelligence (word smart). You are good with the written word. You can express yourself with
language. Occupations include writer, speaker, lawyer, and teacher.
Logical mathematical intelligence (number smart). You can think abstractly and solve problems.
Logic and order are strengths for you. You understand cause and effect. Manipulation of numbers comes
easily. Occupations include scientist and mathematician.
Spatial intelligence (art smart). You can recreate your world visually. A sound sense of direction is
involved, too. Occupations include sculptor, painter, and anatomy teacher
.
Bodily—kinesthetic intelligence (body smart). You have coordinated control of your own body. There
is a strong sense of learning by movement or action. You can effectively use your hands, fingers, and
arms to make something. Occupations include athlete, actor, and dancer.
Musical intelligence (music smart). You have the ability to use the major components of music
(rhythm or pitch). You can recognize patterns and use them effectively. Occupations include musician
and dancer.
Interpersonal intelligence (people smart). You have an understanding of the mood and motives of
those with whom you associate. If you are to effectively deal with other people you must be skilled in this
intelligence. Occupations include teacher, politician, and salesperson.
Intrapersonal intelligence (me smart). You understand yourself and can apply that knowledge in real-
life situations to produce the best results. You understand what is good for you. You know who you are
and what you can do. You know what to associate with and what to avoid. Occupations include
independent contractor.
Naturalistic intelligence (nature smart). You can understand, explain, and relate to things in the
natural world around you. You have a unique ability to classify and separate items based on
characteristics. Occupations include botanist, zoologist, archaeologist, and environmentalist.
*Rhythms of College Success: A Journey of Discovery Change, and Mastery. Piscitelli, S. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, 2008, 99-100.
tGardner's groundbreaking book is entitled Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences (1993).
tA ninth intelligence is being investigated—spiritual. This intelligence refers to the ability to connect with nonphysical or metaphysical stimuli. For
our purposes we will look at the first eight.
§Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom. Armstrong, T. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1994 .

2. Activity Sheet:
Prioritize Your Intelligences*
NAME: Melissa Ramos
List the intelligences in order from the one intelligence that is most developed in you to
the one that is least developed as they relate to you. Write a brief description how you
have come to believe this. Be specific (perhaps give an example that explains your
ranking).
My most (1st) developed intelligence is: Intrapersonal
o My evidence is: I am aware of who I am and understand what I need to do in order to
learn better.
My 2nd most developed intelligence is: Bodily
o My evidence is: I enjoy hands on things and learn better when I do things
myself. Projects and models are always good for me.
My 3rd most developed intelligence is: Spatial
o My evidence is: Before things are done, I picture the outcome in my mind.
My 4th most developed intelligence is: Interpersonal
o My evidence is: I understand others. I know when things aren’t right with
the people around me and know how to counsel them when they need to be
counseled.
My 5th most developed intelligence is: Linguistic
o My evidence is: Writing isn’t really my thing but I have a great choice of
words and know how to describe things to others.
My 6th most developed intelligence is: Musical
o My evidence is: Rhyming helps me memorize things.
My 7th most developed intelligence is: Naturalistic
o My evidence is: I can relate to things around me and match things I need to
remember with things in the real world.
My 8th most developed intelligence is: Logical Mathematical
o My evidence is : I’m not too good with math and that explains why its my
8 th most developed intelligence
Finally, what insights can you draw from this activity? Not everyone has the ability to

3. use every type of intelligence.
After completing this activity, I realized how many different types of intelligence’s are
going on around us. Me and the person sitting next to me may both be intelligent but
have different intelligence skills.
*Instructor's manual to accompany Study Skills: Do 1 Really Need This Stuff? 2nd Edition.Piscitelli, S.
Boston, MA: Pearson Education, 2009.