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Theory of Multiple Intelligences

By Jason Davidson For: Dr. C HLTH 3200: Methods In Health Promotion Spring 2014

The human mind is a complicated maze of mystery and wonder. It is not hard to recognize that no two people are exactly the same. As humans, we may have similar appearances, likes, dislikes, or tastes, but no two people are identical. As each person on the earth is as unique as a snowflake, our ability to problem solve and create products all stem from the same nine intelligences. An intelligence is a biological and psychological potential to solve problems and/or create products that are valued in one or more cultural contexts (Gardner, 2008). All humans possess the same nine intelligences in varying degrees. This paper will explore the history of Multiple Intelligences and the nine intelligences contained there in. Howard Gardner is a renowned psychologist, writer, and professor at Harvard University and the developer of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Dr. Gardner was not always interested in becoming a great physiologist, but early in life was aware of his surrounding and knew he was unique or different from his parents and peers. Upon studying at Harvard University with the intention to pursue a career in law, Dr. Gardners eyes were opened and life course changed after studying under mentors such as, psychoanalyst Erik Erikson, sociologist David Riesman, and cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner (Smith, 2008). Experiences under their tenure helped him solidify that psychology was where he belonged. Still at Harvard as a lecturer, Dr. Gardner was asked to write a book on human cognition, which later developed into the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner released his book in 1983, under the title Frames of Mind. The book unveiled the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which created a buzz in the world of psychology and education that is still present today. The nine intelligences defined by Dr. Gardner are Logical-mathematical, Linguistic, Musical, Spatial, Bodily-kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Naturalist, and Existential Intelligence.

Linguistic Intelligence involves a persons capacity to use language as a method to express feelings and thoughts, and also to understand those of others. Those who have a high capacity in linguistic intelligence learn languages more easily and remember information in the written or spoken form. They are also generally good at reading, and writing. Individuals seeking professions who excel in linguistic intelligence might be interested in being a writer, poet, politician, lawyer, journalist, or English teacher. Logical-mathematical Intelligence involves being able to think logically, conduct mathematical operations, and to be able to reason scientifically. These individuals excel at assessing business deals and propositions, making them very savvy businesspersons. Other jobs one might be interested in that excel in Logical-mathematical intelligence are scientists, mathematicians, engineers, accountants, statisticians, bankers, and analysts. Individuals with Musical Intelligence appreciate music and are talented in the performance thereof. They have the ability to recognize and compose rhythms, pitches, tones, and have skill in musical patterns and composition. Professional interests related to musical intelligence are musician, music teacher, composer, singer, conductor, vocal coach, or entertainer. The fourth intelligence is Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence. This intelligence focuses on the ability to use ones body to resolve problems or create something. The mind powers body movements and displays excellent bodily control and superior hand eye coordination. Potential careers with a high Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence are the performing arts, such as dancing and acting, and also professional athletes, soldiers, and sculptors. Spatial Intelligence is concerned with ability to judge space and to visualize and recognize patterns. People who are good at reading maps have this ability and those who excel in

art, architecture, and engineering posses this intelligence in being able to create a vision in their minds of a picture or product and be able to actually create it. Artists, designers, cartoonists, architects, photographers, and inventors are all strong in the spatial intelligence. The Naturalist Intelligence was added in 1996 to the original list of seven intelligences. Naturalists are interested in the Collection, labeling, organizing, learning, comparing, and experimenting with nature, animals, and plants. The discrimination between sounds also falls into the naturalist intelligence. Naturalists are also good at classification, sorting, and recognition of variations. One with a strong naturalist intelligence would excel in the field of biology, gardening, farming, and botany. Interpersonal Intelligence is all about our social side, more importantly ones ability to relate and understand to others in your environment. People who posses this intelligence work well with others, because they are sensitive to the needs of others and are able to communicate well. This intelligence is critical for educators, leaders, teachers and councilors. Intrapersonal Intelligence deals with how well you know yourself. Do you know your true capabilities? Who you are and what you want to accomplish? If so, chances are you have a high intrapersonal intelligence. Knowing ourselves well allows one to use this intelligence as a guide in life. You know how youre going to act and behave and what your strengths and weaknesses are. These are some of the best independent learners that exist. The ninth and final intelligence is Existential Intelligence. This intelligence is concerned with the pondering and posing of questions about mans existence. They want to know where we came from? How we got here? And what are we doing? Existentialists spend a great deal of time on these subjects and even sometimes answer these questions.

After research and contemplation of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, I concluded that Bodily-Kinesthetic, Linguistic, and Interpersonal would be my prevailing top three intelligences. I took several multiple intelligence tests online and finally settled with the one I felt was most comprehensive. Although I was not 100% correct in my assumption, I still feel the test gave an accurate portrayal of the intelligences within me. My results were the following: Linguistic 82, Logical-mathematical 77, Musical 70, Bodily-kinesthetic 90, Spatial 24, Naturalist 44, Interpersonal 71, Intrapersonal 82, and Existential- not included. I think these results manifest themselves in my love of sports, my passion for writing and languages, and my continued desire to assess myself and make personal goals. The mind truly is amazing, powerful, and unique all at the same time. As unique as we all are on the earth each have the capacity to learn and can do so through the nine Multiple Intelligences. A single intelligence may be overwhelmingly dominant over another and some may have a balance among multiple intelligences. Whatever the case is, we all have the capacity to solve problems and/or create products that are valued in one or more cultural contexts (Gardner, 2008).

References:
Campbell, B. (2012, May). Johns Hopkins School of Education. Retrieved January 20, 2014, from http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/mi/campbell.htm Gardner, H. (2011). Multiple Intelligences : The First Thirty Years. Retrieved January 20, 2014, from Howard Gardner Hobbs Professor of cognition and education: http://howardgardner01.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/intro-frames-of-mind_30-years.pdf Gardner, H. (2008, April). The 25th anniversary of the publication of Howard Gardners Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Retrieved January 19, 2014, from Howard Gardner Hobbs Professor of cognition and education: http://howardgardner01.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/mi-at-251.pdf Howard Gardner's Multiple Intellingences Theory. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2014, from PBS: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/education/ed_mi_resources.html Katie Davis, J. C. (n.d.). Multiple Intelligences. Retrieved January 21, 2014, from Howard Gardner Hobbs Professor of cognition and education: http://howardgardner01.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/443-davis-christodoulou-seider-miarticle.pdf Smith, M. K. (2008). Howard Gardner, multiple intelligences and education. Retrieved January 20, 2014, from Infed: http://infed.org/mobi/howard-gardner-multiple-intelligences-andeducation/#multiple_intelligences

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