Dr. Howard Gardner developed the theory of multiple intelligences which states that there are multiple ways of processing information and not just a single intelligence. Gardner identified 8 main types of intelligence: linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. A 9th type of existential intelligence was later added. His theory challenged earlier views that intelligence is a single entity and argued that culture influences what types of intelligence are valued. A person can have different levels of ability across the multiple intelligences.

1. Defining Intelligence

2. Dr. Howard Gardner
• An American
developmental
psychologist
• Born on July 11, 1943 in
Scranton, PA
• Senior Director of Harvard
Project Zero and author of
over twenty books
• Best known for his Theory
of Multiple Intelligences
(1983)

3. The Theory of Multiple Intelligences by
Dr. Howard Gardner
 Dr. Gardner’s theory states that not only do human beings have several
different ways of learning and processing information, but that these
methods are relatively independent of one another
• Many early theorists believed that intelligence is a single entity. Gardner
disagreed and questioned these early theorists.
 Culture was a large influence and helped determine a person’s
intelligence. According to Howard, society held tasks and different types of
intelligence at different levels.
 His theory was seen that a person could be great in several forms of
intelligence but can be below average in others.
 Since 1999, Gardner has identified eight intelligence. A 9th one was
recently added.

4. Linguistic Intelligence/Verbal
Communication
 Linguistic Intelligence/Verbal
Communication: The capacity
to use language to express
what's on your mind and to
understand other people.
 Any kind of writer, orator,
speaker, lawyer, or other person
for whom language is an
important stock in trade has
great linguistic intelligence.

5. Logical/Mathematical Intelligence
• Logical/Mathematical Intelligence:
The capacity to understand the underlying
principles of some kind of causal
system, the way a scientist or a logician
does; to manipulate
numbers, quantities, and operations.

6. Musical Rhythmic Intelligence
 Musical Rhythmic Intelligence:
The capacity to think in music; to be
able to hear patterns, recognize
them, and manipulate them. People
who have strong musical intelligence
don't just remember music easily,
they can't get it out of their minds,
it's so omnipresent.

7. Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence
Bodily/Kinesthetic
Intelligence:
The capacity to use your
whole body or parts of your
body to solve a
problem, make
something, or put on some
kind of production.
• Examples: people in
athletics or the
performing
arts, particularly dancing
or acting.

8. Spatial Intelligence
Spatial Intelligence:
The ability to represent the
spatial world internally in your
mind. It can be used in the arts
or in the sciences.

9. Intrapersonal Intelligence
 Intrapersonal Intelligence:
Having an understanding of
yourself; knowing who you
are, what you can do, what
you want to do, how you react
to things, which things to
avoid, and which things to
gravitate toward. We are
drawn to people who have a
good understanding of
themselves. They tend to
know what they can and can't
do, and to know where to go if
they need help.

10. Interpersonal Intelligence
Interpersonal
Intelligence:
The ability to understand
other people. It's an ability
we all need, but is
especially important for
teachers, clinicians, salesper
sons, or politicians -anybody who deals with
other people.

11. Naturalist Intelligence
 Naturalist Intelligence:
The ability to discriminate
among living things
(plants, animals) and
sensitivity to other
features of the natural
world (clouds, rock
configurations). This ability
was clearly of value in our
evolutionary past as
hunters, gatherers, and
farmers; it continues to be
central in such roles as
botanist or chef.

12. Recently Added: Existential
Intelligence
Existential
Intelligence:
The ability to pose and
ponder questions about life,
death, and ultimate realities.

13. “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”
-Howard Gardner